Abstract
This qualitative study explored the experiences of caregivers caring for persons with physical disabilities at day care centres. The study was conducted at three selected day care centres in the Mopani District of the Limpopo province, South Africa. The findings of the research study are detailed in chapter 4 (data analysis and findings) and in chapter 5 (conclusions and recommendations).
The introductory chapter details the approaches and methods used in the study. The study adopted the qualitative approach of research. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of caregivers caring for persons with physical disabilities at selected day care centres in the Limpopo Mopani District. To achieve this aim, the following objectives were set: 1) Explore the positive experiences of caregivers caring for persons with physical disabilities at day care centres; 2) Describe negative experiences of caregivers caring for persons with physical disabilities at day care centres; 3) Explore the training and development needs of caregivers caring for persons with physical disabilities at day care centres; 4) Provide recommendations on enhancing caregivers’ experiences and the training and development requirements needed to care for persons with physical disabilities at day care centres. The population was selected through applying purposive sampling. The study comprised three study settings and fourteen participants who voluntarily participated in the research. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were carried out to collect data, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected. The university of Johannesburg’s Code of Academic and Research Ethics underpins this study. Ethical clearance was obtained before any data collection could take place, and various ethical considerations such informed consent, the right to privacy and confidentiality, and not causing any harm or distress to participants, were put in place.
The dissertation is submitted in an article format. The first article in this dissertation details the literature review, which sheds light on the findings of other researchers about the experiences of caregivers working at disability centres. Findings include a lack of support from government, insufficient resources, and equipment needed to provide support to people with disabilities. Further findings include the need for scares skills and training to provide efficient care to people with disabilities. Although the literature review sheds light on some of the experiences of caregivers caring for persons with disabilities, most of the information focuses on cities and western countries. Only a miniscule portion of the literature raises awareness of the experiences of caregivers in rural areas, specifically South Africa. This study endeavoured to add to the existing body of knowledge on caring for people with disabilities, targeting the rural population of the Mopani District in Limpopo, South Africa.
v
The second article details the findings of this study, which include positive and negative experiences of caregivers, the type of training and development the caregivers receive, the goals and hopes of caregivers, the stakeholders involved in the care centres, how the caregivers deal with and approach challenges, the population of the care centres, and the needs of those they care for.
The final chapter details the conclusions and recommendations of the study. Overall, the study acknowledges and confirms the need for more support and resources from government and communities to enhance and equip caregivers in disability centres in their provision of efficient services to disabled persons.