poststroke caregiving

Background: Stroke is one of the most prevalent chronic illnesses worldwide. Family caregivers can make a significant contribution toward patients' recovery. However, the patient's functional deficits and the caregiver's mood states can impact the caregiver's motivation to engage in empathic responses toward patients. Clinicians need help in recognizing patients at risk for not receiving empathic responses from family caregivers who are pivotal in long-term help and emotional support.