‘Living the life of the other’: carers’ perspectives on changes in carer strain during the rehabilitation trajectory

The needs of carers are still poorly understood in medical rehabilitation research. This article explores the lived experience of carers and the adverse effects of caring throughout the different phases of the rehabilitation care trajectory in the Netherlands, based on in-depth interviews with couples where one partner has acquired brain injury or spinal cord injury. The findings reveal that carers’ needs vary during the rehabilitation trajectory, particularly because of varying availability or lack of ‘personal time’ and ‘personal space’. Acknowledging this may improve the assistance of carers, attuned to their evolving needs, and thereby contribute to improved future rehabilitation treatment.