Abstract:
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability among older adults, often
requiring comprehensive rehabilitation to restore functional independence.
Nurses play a key role in the multidisciplinary care team, particularly in
rehabilitation settings where continuous support, encouragement, and skilled
care are needed. Understanding nurses’ experiences in delivering such care is
essential for enhancing patient outcomes and improving nursing practice. The
primary objective of this study was to explore the experiences of nurses in
providing rehabilitation care to older adults recovering from stroke at the
Rehabilitation Hospital, Sri Lanka. The study also aimed to discuss the specific
needs of older stroke patients, describe patients’ future expectations as identified
by nurses, and perceived challenges and enablers in their caregiving role. A
qualitative approach and descriptive design were employed. Data were collected
through semi-structured interviews with purposively selected registered nurses
working in the stroke rehabilitation wards at the selected Rehabilitation Hospital.
The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed
thematically using Braun and Clarke’s method to extract key themes and
patterns related to their experiences. Ethics approval was sought from the Ethics
Review Committee of the Colombo National Hospital, Sri Lanka. Thematic
analysis revealed four main themes: (1) Family support and empathy – nurses
highlighted the significance of patients’ strong ties with family and the role of
empathetic support by family in meeting their physical and emotional needs; (2)
Hope for recovery and independence – Many patients hoped to regain their
independence and return to their normal life. (3) Emotional and Physical Burden – perceived challenges in care giver role included emotional stress, heavy
workloads, and limited resources; (4) Collaboration and Communication – inter
professional teamwork and effective communication were identified as crucial
enablers for successful rehabilitation outcomes.Nurses’ experiences in the
rehabilitation of older stroke patients reflect notable challenges in their role.
Addressing staffing shortages, improving resource availability, and encouraging
family visits and enhancing family awareness of patients’ conditions are
essential steps toward optimizing rehabilitation care delivery and gaining better
patient outcomes.
