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Abstract
EnhancIng sustainability of caregiving in Southern Africa through a regional program: Caring for Ourselves to Care For Others
L Y Steinitz1, N L Linsk2, J K Robinson3, F Van Rooi1, M Amwello1, S Bertman4, M Rivard5
1Catholic AIDS Action, Windhoek, Namibia; 2Midwest AIDS Training and Educ Ctr, Jane Addams College Social Work, Univ of IL at Chicago, Chicago, United States; 3Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, United States; 4Humanities & Palliative Care Univ of Massachusetts Medical School, Boston, United States; 5: Palliative Care Program, Montifiore Medical Center, Bronx, New YOrk, United States
ISSUES: Communities in Southern Africa rely on the volunteer care efforts of family, neighbors, and informal networks, yet caregivers feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. This results in complaints that professionals have stopped caring, and high drop-out rates amongst volunteer caregivers.
DESCRIPTION: Based on a needs assessment, Catholic AIDS Action/ Namibia conducted a 5-country intervention on caregiver sustainability, focusing on grief, the healing arts, and support systems for caregivers.. International faculty from U.S. AIDS Education and Training Centers and elsewhere collaborated to produce a training design and materials which resulted in a 100-page program manual (in English, Africaans and Oshivambo) for use in follow-up programs. Over 500 caregivers participated in a 4 day model conference in June, 2001 in Windhoek, addressing the following topics: Understanding Loss; Coping & Grieving; Building Support Systems; Finding an Inner Balance; and Moving On. The program used a combination of lectures, small groups; experiential exercises, and training in self care activities such as meditation, journaling, exercise and nutrition. Finally, a series of related training programs was provided in Namibia, Botswana, Malawi and Swaziland.
LESSONS LEARNED /CONCLUSIONS: 1) More training and support programs are needed for bereaved caregivers whose services are invariably required for additional patients. 2) The arts (music, dance, & visual mediums) provide a universally accepted method that cut through cultural differences for cognitive training and experiential learning. 3) Spirituality is integral to the development and sustainability of care systems in Africa, as caregivers rely upon their relationship with God (or a Higher Power) to interpret (and deal with) the overwhelming HIV/AIDS situation. Programs need to bridge the church and private/public responses, which was a very successful part of this training program.
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
G12750
Suggested Citation
" L Y Steinitz , , et al.
EnhancIng sustainability of caregiving in Southern Africa through a regional program: Caring for Ourselves to Care For Others
.
Print Only:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
G12750"
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