Abstract: Objective: To systematic review the experience of caring stroke patients by family members at home and to provide basis for community transitional care. Methods: We searched the databases including PubMed, EMbase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang Date, and VIP to collect qualitative studies about experience of caring stroke patients by family members at home, evaluated the quality of included studies according to JBI Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative studies in Australia. Results: A total of 18 qualitative studies were recruited and 60 complete findings were extracted. Totally 7 new categories were summarized, and 3 integration results were obtained:①Caregivers experienced heavy burdens, changes in family relationships, and sacrifices in their lives.②With the care time-lapse, caregivers gradually adjusted and adapt to obtain spiritual support.③With the sudden onset of stroke disease, the caregivers lacked care ability and were eager to obtain support from the hospital-community-family-social support system in the home care process. Conclusion: The caregivers had a heavy burden and lacked care ability. In the process of transitional care, we should support, guide and improve the coping ability of family members.

Key words: stroke; caregivers; caregiving experience; qualitative research; review