Needs, barriers and facilitators experienced by spouses of people with aphasia.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about how spouses cope with their needs as a result of their partner's aphasia. This study described spouses' needs and identified the barriers and facilitators to satisfying them.


METHODS
Four associations of people with aphasia were approached. Eleven spouses were interviewed in small groups. They described the results of their inquiries and efforts to satisfy their needs because their partner had aphasia (mean time since onset 6 years 8 months) as a result of stroke or surgery. Discussions were transcribed and coded. Excerpts were grouped into categories.


RESULTS
Spouses mainly needed support and respite, and perceived their partner to need help for communication and well-being. Personal factors like the availability of close others to provide help were facilitating. However, participants encountered barriers, mainly organisational, i.e. the help needed did not exist. Some needs persisted over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Results confirm the long-term needs of spouses in adjusting to the aphasia of their partner, as well as the limited services available to them. Many of the needs reflected spouses' concerns about their partner, while others were a consequence of their caregiving role as well as the unavailability of support. Spouses of people with aphasia should have access to support during and after rehabilitation.
Le Dorze
Guylaine
G
Equipe Espace, Ecole d'orthophonie et d'audiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. guylaine.le.dorze@umontreal.ca
Signori
France-Hélène
FH
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012144:Respite Care; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*