Interventions to improve caregiver well-being

Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) provide support and care for caregivers to enhance both the outcomes of the caregiver and the person receiving care. Pucciarelli and colleagues (2020) conducted a systematic review and meta analysis of dyadic interventions to improve stroke patient–caregiver dyads’ outcomes after discharge from a rehabilitation hospital. The review included 3 electronic databases, resulting in 16 studies (3 quasi-randomized controlled trial [RCT] and 13 RCT) that met review inclusion criteria. Dyadic interventions showed significant improvement on stroke survivors’ physical function, memory, and quality of life. These interventions also significantly improved caregivers’ depression. The dyadic interventions included things like home assessments, group educational sessions (e.g., nutrition, self-management), skills training, problem solving strategies, phone or in person follow up within 48 hours of discharge; home health visits for 1 to 3 weeks to support the transition home, and longer term follow up periodically to touch base, as well as needs assessments and caregiver-specific training programs. OTPs should provide dyadic interventions when appropriate.