NURSES’ EXPERIENCES OF REHABILITATION CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE WITH STROKE AT A SELECTED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL, SRI LANKA

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.