Effects of a Continuing Care Model for Older Adults with Stroke in Can Tho City, Vietnam

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disabilities in Vietnam. Although stroke care in the acute phase has been achieved; a continuing care model and its effect has not been developed and evaluated at the district hospitals in Vietnam. A mixed-method study was conducted to develop and examine effects of the continuing care program for older adults with stroke living in Can Tho City, Vietnam. First, a continuing care model was developed based on the qualitative data from in-depth interview and focus group discussion. Second, the proposed model was implemented among older adults with Stroke, who registered at the selected district hospitals in Can Tho City. The intervention group received a 12-week continuing care program, including 1) stroke care management, 2) family caregiver’s training, 3) family caregiver’s support 4) resource allocation, 5) monitoring for stroke, 6) rehabilitation care and 7) family reintegration. The comparison group received the usual care. According to Mann-Whitney U-test, quality of life and self-care agency of the intervention group (n=23) were better than the comparison group (n=32) and better than before the intervention (p < 0.05), respectively. The findings support that the continuing care model can improve health outcomes for older adults with stroke in Can Tho City. In addition, community nurses should be trained to manage and monitor stroke outcomes for older adults, after the first 3-month. Further research with larger sample size should be scaling to improve the quality of care and quality of life for older adults with stroke.