An assesment of the psychological support given and received by home-based caregivers working in the North West province.
Date
2006-11-13T11:18:49Z
Authors
Mckenzie, Gillian
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Abstract
The primary aim of this study was to identify and assess the type of, and level of
emotional and psychological support offered by home-based caregivers within a Home
Community-Based Care Programme, and to explore the type of issues that home-based
caregivers are dealing with on a day-to-day basis. A secondary aim of this study was to
evaluate and determine the level of emotional and psychological support that is being
offered and received by home-based caregivers themselves, as well as the type of training
that they receive. Data was collected using the semi-structured interview method of data
collection from a sample of 16 participants. The data was analysed using both quantitative
and qualitative techniques. The main findings were that the emotional and psychological
services being offered by the participating home-based caregivers to the
beneficiaries/clients of the Tapologo HIV/AIDS Programme were adequate, and included
the following services: providing emotional support, spiritual support, basic counselling
skills such as active listening and empathy, providing pre and post-test counselling, and
psychoeducation. These services are offered primarily on an individual basis, although
evidence for group support being used was also indicated. Issues that the participating
home-based caregivers are having to deal with on a day-to-day basis included addressing
both the physical and emotional needs of clients, and helping patients to accept their
illness and disease as well as dealing with the subsequent loss/losses. The type of
emotional and psychological support received by the participating home-based caregivers
themselves was suggested to be provided from both within and outside of the programme.
The provision of support provided from within the programme was provided by the social
worker/s, the sister/s in charge, the church, counsellors at Lifeline, supervisors, and
colleagues. The types of emotional and psychological support received by these service
providers included general counselling and emotional support, debriefing, supervision,
psychoeducation, and spiritual support. Emotional support provided outside of the
programme included support from family members and friends. Finally, a holistic
approach to training was indicated from the data. The types of emotional and
psychological training received include the provision of basic counselling skill,
psychoeducational skills, and training in self-care.
Description
Faculty of Humanities
School of Human and Comminity Development
9611126v
gs_mckenzie@hotmail.com
Keywords
skills, training, counselling, Community-Based, Programme