Masters Degrees (Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy) by Subject "Alzheimer's disease -- South Africa -- Western Cape"

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    Communication, cognitive functioning, and feeding and swallowing information needs of caregivers of individuals diagnosed with alzheimer’s disease within a support group setting
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) Le Roux, Carla; De Beer, Alida; Bardien, Faeza; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background: The number of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease will rise significantly in the coming years. This is a concern as Alzheimer’s disease affects numerous functions within the scope of the speech-language therapist. However, due to the limited number of speech-language therapists in South Africa, individual speech and language therapy is not a viable option. Support groups may be a more optimal way of providing speech and language therapy service-related information. Objectives: The study aimed to determine the speech therapy-related information needs of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as their preferred support group structure. The study further aimed to describe common speech and language therapy-related points of discussion at support groups and the current structure of support groups in the Western Cape. Method: A convergent parallel mixed method research design was used, and qualitative and quantitative data were collected simultaneously. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, whilst an online survey was used to collect data from support group facilitators. Results: The results indicated that caregivers had both directly stated, as well as indirectly stated information and support needs. Caregivers had more directly stated information and support needs about cognitive functioning than communication or feeding and swallowing. Their information and support needs were influenced by the current level of functioning of the individual with AD, caregivers’ perceptions about the features of AD and their management, as well as acceptance of these difficulties. Caregivers did, however, have more indirectly stated information needs about communication as well as feeding and swallowing. There were also discrepancies identified between caregivers’ support group structure preferences and the current support group structure in the Western Cape. Conclusion: The factors driving caregivers’ information and support needs guide the information provided at support groups. As much information and support needs are indirectly stated, these needs may likely not be expressed in support groups. Subsequently, caregivers’ knowledge about these areas of difficulty may remain limited. This may negatively affect caregiver understanding-and management of these difficulties. Furthermore, accessibility of support groups may be negatively impacted by the discrepancies between caregiver preferences and current support group structure.