gms | German Medical Science

Background and Purpose: Different realities indicate the impact a stroke can have on the lives of the affected people, especially on people from 60 years of age. Until now, the subjective view of the experience of an acute stroke has insufficiently been addressed in a scientific manner. The goal of the investigation was to gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the subjective experience of 60-year old and older individuals during the acute phase of a stroke.

Methods: Semi-structured face-to-face interview.

Research Focus: The study is based on a qualitative design. 23 elderly people who had suffered first time a stroke were interviewed in an acute setting. The investigation was conducted according to the Grounded-Theory-Methodology by Strauss and Corbin.

Results: The primary aspect of how people from 60 experienced an acute stroke is the feeling of indeterminableness. The patients are disoriented, confused, and not being able to define or understand the event. It could be shown that over the course of only a few days, the patients live after acute stroke through four distinct phases. Based on these results, essential categories were prepared and a phase-model was developed which encompasses the chronology of and the relationships between these various categories.

Conclusions: In treating and nursing elderly stroke patients, their subjective viewpoint and experience must be given more attention. The unique experience of an affected individual during the initial stage of a stroke fundamentally influences how the illness is interpreted and how it is finally coped with and overcome.