Vascular accidents

The responsibility of family carers is a well-known issue for patients suffering from disabling chronic illnesses. Family caregivers are indispensable during all stages of stroke treatment, and particularly when patients return home. In the DRC, there have been no such studies among caregivers of stroke survivors. The aim of this study is to describe the weight of these caregivers in Kinshasa. Paradoxically, these unrecognized and neglected players in the healthcare system are more likely to suffer from psychological disorders of varying severity. Depression and anxiety are often present among caregivers. In caregivers, signs of depression and anxiety testify to the severity of psychological suffering, which can be avoided by adopting best-practice measures for stroke management, including care for family carers.