Situational burden and challenges faced by informal caregivers of post-stroke patients: A narrative review

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term functional disability and often requires caregiver support during recovery. Informal caregivers of post-stroke patients face multiple challenges related to medical and nursing competence, workload, and access to information. These challenges remain insufficiently explored and inadequately addressed in healthcare systems. Using predefined criteria, we searched PubMed and Google Scholar for English-language studies involving human participants and published between January 2015 and August 2025 on issues related to informal caregiving. After initial abstract screening, we selected 60 relevant publications from each database for discussion in this narrative review, using a PRISMA-based approach. The findings reveal a multidimensional caregiving burden, with nearly 90% of caregivers reporting shortages in practical knowledge and skills training. They also often face psycho-emotional and economic strain, compounded by a lack of institutional support and social isolation. Caregivers experience chronic frustration and exhaustion, leading to depressive and somatic symptoms, while also lacking adequate medical attention. Their needs are largely unsupported and unmet by available institutional support. There is a lack of systemic solutions to integrate caregiving responsibilities with personal activities and preventive healthcare. These issues necessitate urgent research and the implementation of effective supportive interventions to enhance the quality of life of post-stroke caregivers. Key recommendations include developing standardized educational programs implemented at hospital discharge, ensuring access to professional medical support, and establishing flexible respite care services to prevent caregiver burnout. Caregivers' psychosocial and somatic wellbeing is essential for the successful rehabilitation and recovery of post-stroke patients.