Stress among caregivers of hip fracture patients: A longitudinal study

In this longitudinal study of stress among caregivers of patients up to one year following hip fracture, scores on the Caregiver Strain Index (Robinso n, 1983) declined overall from 2, 6, to 12-month follow-up. However, 2 of t he 13 items were reported at increasing rates and caregiver strain increase d by twelve-month follow-up among caregivers living with a patient who fell during the follow-up period. Recommendations for addressing modifiable fac tors associated with caregiver stress include promoting functioning in acti vities of daily living, medication monitoring and environmental modificatio ns, addressing positive aspects of caregiving, plus further exploration of social supports and services for caregivers.