"Standing alone": understanding the self-management of family caregivers of persons post-stroke at the time of acute care.

Implications for RehabilitationFamily caregivers' development of self-management starts in acute care and needs more guidance from health professionals.All health professionals should take a proactive, partnership attitude towards family caregivers to better support them in developing self-management skillsDifferent forms of self- management, such as co-management with family and friends, need to be considered when developing self-management programs for family caregivers.During acute care, family caregivers benefit from repeated information. Besides verbal information health professionals should consider different methods for providing information, including written, visual or audiotaped methods.Health professionals should raise awareness among family caregivers about the topics of role changes and the importance of a balance of activities. They should provide information about these topics to promote the caregivers' health and well-being.