The University of Toledo

Center for Nursing Research and Evaluation - The Caring~Web

Caring~Web: Web-based Support for Stroke Caregivers

Linda L. Pierce, PhD, RN, CNS, CRRN, FAHA, FAAN - The University of Toledo
Victoria Steiner, PhD - The University of Toledo
Amy Govoni, MSN, RN, CS - Cleveland State University
http://caringweb.utoledo.edu

Nearly 5 million Americans live with the after-effects of stroke. There are 700,000 new persons with stroke each year at a cost for care of $57.9 billion annually. Most persons surviving a stroke return home after initial rehabilitation treatment and are cared for by family members, usually women. Family members [relatives and friends] manage and/or influence many aspects of care for the person with stroke, e.g., helping with activities of daily living, scheduling appointments with healthcare providers, providing physical care and emotional support, etc. The profound changes that can accompany stroke create considerable challenges for those individuals and their families. The National Institutes of Health have pointed to a need for research using innovative technology to support family caregivers.

Using Friedemann's framework of systemic organization as a guide, this study investigated outcomes of Caring~Web^©: a Web-based, in-home intervention of support for caregivers of persons with stroke in northern Ohio and southern Michigan during the first year after rehabilitation treatment.

Caring Web Study Final Report

Quantitative Results

Qualitative Results

Publications Resulting from the Stroke Research

For more information contact:
Linda L. Pierce, PhD, RN, CNS, CRRN, FAHA, FAAN
E-Mail Address: l.pierce@utoledo.edu 
Office number: (419) 383-5852
Fax number: (419) 383-5875