While the number of Canadians suffering from chronic illness continues to increase, recent health care cutbacks are resulting in families taking on more responsibility for the care of these patients. This book shows how various forms of social support can benefit those experiencing chronic illness and those involved in caregiving. The text is based on the results of a nationally funded research programme conducted by teams of multidisciplinary researchers. This collection includes assessment studies and four innovative intervention studies involving patients with diabetes, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, HIV-AIDS, cardiac conditions, and seniors disabled by stroke. The studies evaluate various forms of social support on the basis of a model that is outlined in the first chapter. Several chapters explore barriers to accessing support and key strategies for seeking support. The final chapters summarize the findings and outline the challenges that still face researchers in the field.
Some of the forms of support explored by contributors include dyadic peer support for family caregivers of seniors suffering from stroke and heart failure; telephone support for haemophiliacs with AIDS and their caregivers and for parents of children with chronic conditions; and spousal support for coping with cardiac conditions. This volume is an invaluable resource for students, teachers and practitioners in health-related disciplines