Background: A domiciliary peripatetic neuro-rehabilitation service was started in Dhaka in 2008 through the Sir William Beveridge Foundation (SWBF), a United Nations accredited charity based in London.
Objective: To characterize the needs and perceived benefits for an elderly population with neuro-disabilities, receiving services provided by SWBF.
Patients and Methods: All patients and carers who were receiving a service from SWBF were identified from the register. These families were all living within the community of Dhaka (capital city of Bangladesh).
Design: Mixed methods including questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews (pre-piloted for language and acceptability).
An independent researcher administered the questionnaire and interviewed the families. Study duration: July to November 2013.
Follow-up interviews were conducted for 5 families in 2014. Consent was obtained at the outset of the study.
Outcome tools: Activities of Daily Living, themes and individual narratives from interviews.
Results:
Total individual service users, N=118.
75 patients completed questionnaires.
20 individual narratives emerged from 81 interviews.
35 trained Rehabilitation Care Assistants led by 1 Medical Director provided service. 16 out of 75 patients were under 60 years. 35 patients were stroke survivors. Identified benefits included having free or affordable physiotherapy, sign-posting the need for medical attention during co-morbid illness and valued companionship. Carer stresses were also reduced reflected within the narratives from the interviews. A need was identified to review the referral pathway including age threshold, clinical governance and financial model.
Conclusion: Within a void of state and private sector provision in low-income countries, a home based rehabilitation model could be achieved through charitable sector work.
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© 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc.
