Browsing by Author "Cairncross, Clarice Ruby"
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- ItemSocial work services to families caring for a family member who suffered from a stroke(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Cairncross, Clarice Ruby; Cornelissen-Nordien, Tasneemah; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Stroke has been shown to be among the top ten leading causes of disability worldwide. In Africa, inadequate information; traditional beliefs; restricted healthcare services; inadequate medical employees; early deaths and the inclination to use home-based remedies have resulted in underreporting of stroke-related illnesses. Stroke is amongst the most common chronic lifestyle diseases as well as one of the highest causes of disability in South Africa, which places a high burden on patients, their families and the communities in which they live. Discharging patients with stroke to unprepared caregivers at home is connected with a burden or stress that negatively impacts the quality of life, not of the caregiver only, but the stroke patient as well. The ecological perspective was used as the theoretical point of departure for this study. The research question for the study was: What is the nature of social work services rendered to families caring for a family member who suffered a stroke? The goal for the study, which was to gain an understanding of social work services rendered to families caring for a family member who has suffered a stroke, was achieved. This made it possible to formulate appropriate recommendations in line with current policy and legislating documents related to social work services for family caregivers of stroke patients. A qualitative research methodology was used to involve social workers who render services to family caregivers of stroke patients within tertiary hospitals, Non-Government Organisations and within the private sector in the Western Cape Metropole area. The study was based on both the explorative and the descriptive research design. For the aim of this study, the researcher used purposeful non-probability sampling. Eighteen social workers who met the inclusion criteria of the research study were chosen according to their willingness to participate. A semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection during the empirical investigation and a pilot study was conducted with one participant to put to test the measuring instrument. A literature study aimed at describing the policy and legislation guiding the care of stroke patients within the context of both international and South African legislation, as well as the challenges and needs of family caregivers and social work services from an ecological perspective was completed. An empirical investigation followed this, and results were then purposefully processed and analysed. Because challenges hampering the delivery of social work services to families caring for a family member who suffered a stroke were recognised in this study, the researcher recommends the employment of more social workers and ongoing support, training and education to be available within organisations, as well as within communities. Social workers need to be empowered to utilise and receive training regarding the policies and legislation relating to the provision of social work services to family caregivers of stroke patients and to create more stroke awareness and education among the public. These resources are necessary for the improvement of social work services to family caregivers of stroke patients.