The purpose of this study was to identify the problematic aspects of the families of people who were hospitalized because of strokes, and discuss the difficulties of the family caregiver toward household care. The sample consisted of 154 families of patients admitted in a public hospital in Fortaleza, Ceará state, Brazil. The results showed that most caregivers are women, 104 (67.5%); 122 cases (79.2%) showed family commitment and changes in the daily life of 115 accompanying partners (74.7%); 150 (97.4%) were not instructed about the care, but 143 (92.9%) felt safe to provide care. The predominant feeling was sadness, in 125 (81.2%) of the subjects, and the main doubts were: eating habits, 64 (41.6%); administering medication, 49 (29.9%); and possible clinical complications after discharge, 49 (29.9%). These results are worth noting for the nurse's role as an educator, not only regarding the prevention of chronic-degenerative diseases, but also concerning delivering instructions to family caregivers about providing care after hospital discharge.
Home nursing; Caregivers; Stroke; Nursing
