[Quality of life for family members: health promotion for severely handicapped persons staying at home and for family members--systemic approach in Yokohama].
A sociomedical study for parents was designed to answer many questions concerning the actual situation of severely handicapped persons staying at home and of their family members. After the onset of the illness, their life was greatly changed and distressful. Under this situation, the family associations sharing same problem gleamed in their daily life. About 70% of parents were satisfied with the situation that their handicapped children were at home. They were generally getting better in health. However, many requests were presented to doctors and to medical institutions including hospitals and administrations. The number of the special hospital, school and respite space must be increased as soon as possible. It was also pointed out that more combined efforts are necessary supported by the medical, educational and welfare staff, with a rapid advance of age and progress of disease. Especially we, neuro-pediatricians, must be key-persons, and have a duty to improve the quality of their life and their families. An example of systemic approach to severely handicapped persons in Yokohama was presented, which was rather successful but incomplete.
Miyake
S
S
Division of Medicine, Yokohama Ryoiku Center for the Severely Handicapped, Japan.
D002648:Child; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005192:Family Health; D006293:Health Promotion; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D011788:Quality of Life