Educational needs and assets of home-based caregivers for home-bound chronic patients: a case study

Abstract

This report describes the research conducted at Kgotlelelang Basadi Home-based Care centre, in the Capricorn District Limpopo Province of South Africa. The centre serves four villages: Ngwanamago, Makata, Matobole and Thaba. Statement of the problem It seems the home-based caregivers of chronic patients at Kgotlelelang Basadi HBC centre do not have the necessary qualifications, knowledge, skills, and health care and protective resources such as gloves, thermometers and masks. It looks like the homebased caregivers are not adequately and continuously trained as there are always new discoveries and developments with regard to the treatment of diseases. It apprears they perform their duties without sufficient support by relevant institutions like clinics and hospitals. Furthermore, it appears the home-based caregivers are not recognised, and are also undermined. The aim of the study is to explore the educational needs and assets of home-based caregivers for homebound chronic patients at Kgotlelelang Basadi Home-based Care centre. After establishing the educational needs and assets of home-based caregivers I recommended the formulation of possible relevant educational programmes. In an attempt to achieve the said aims, the following research questions were formulated and put forward in chapter 1. Objectives  To establish the existing qualifications of home-based caregivers for home-bound chronic patients at Kgotlelelang Basadi HBC Centre.  To determine the relevancy of the existing educational programmes of home-based caregivers for home-bound chronic patients.  To contribute towards formulating relevant educational programmes of home-based caregivers for home-bound chronic patients.