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Thesis (M.G.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Sociology and Gerontology, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p.66-68).

The aim of this dissertation is to explore how informal caregivers for people with dementia (PWD), who are community dwelling (i.e., not in nursing homes), prepare and plan for disasters. The research site is a particularly hurricane-prone region of Florida, second only to New Orleans in its vulnerability. An underlying assumption of this research is that caregivers for PWD have to plan and anticipate problems that are unique to their role. The rationale for the study described here is that disaster planning and mitigation save lives (Tengs et al. 1995), but there is little or no literature on disaster planning for the frail elderly and their caregivers. Mixed methods design which includes: 1) participant observation; 2) staff interviews (n=8);3) preliminary caregiver interviews (n=5); 4) baseline chart/disaster plan review (n=290);5) intervention (presentation to staff and administration) and form revision; 6) follow-up chart/ disaster plan review (n=259); 7) caregiver survey(n=253);8) final caregiver interviews (N=15- total number of caregiver interviews 20); 9) disaster literacy testing (n=20); 10) final group interview with ACC administration. This work documents the way that caregivers talk about disaster planning and say they will do if a hurricane strikes and reflects on their past hurricane experiences. Major findings include gaps in the county run Special Needs Shelter services available in Florida for people with dementia. The response and difficulty that caregivers might face can depend on the stage of the disease.

The study sought to explore professional nurses' perceptions of the roles of home and community-based carers in the Capricorn district of the Limpopo province as well as the problems they experienced and make recommendations to improve the quality of home and community-based care. A qualitative approach with non-probability, purposeful sampling was used in this study. The sample consisted of professional nurses serving as focal points for home-based care in the area of the study. The findings indicated that professional nurses believe that carers have a role in providing care to the community and serve as the extended hands of their services. However, challenges exist, which impact on the quality of service delivery. Recommendations included the strengthening of existing elements, such as improving relationships, communication, and the care of carer's programme, carer training, reporting, and monitoring and carer distribution. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The study sought to explore professional nurses' perceptions of the roles of home and community-based carers in the Capricorn district of the Limpopo province as well as the problems they experienced and make recommendations to improve the quality of home and community-based care. A qualitative approach with non-probability, purposeful sampling was used in this study. The sample consisted of professional nurses serving as focal points for home-based care in the area of the study. The findings indicated that professional nurses believe that carers have a role in providing care to the community and serve as the extended hands of their services. However, challenges exist, which impact on the quality of service delivery. Recommendations included the strengthening of existing elements, such as improving relationships, communication, and the care of carer's programme, carer training, reporting, and monitoring and carer distribution. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)