Informing and supporting partners and children of persons with aphasia: A comparison of supply and demand

Abstract

In this study we investigated how important significant others find it to be informed, supported, and trained by speech–language pathologists (SLPs) and to what extent they perceive their expectations and needs as to these aspects to be fulfilled. Furthermore SLPs were asked about the importance of informing and supporting family members and as to how far they believe they provide adequate care in that field.

A questionnaire was completed by 77 relatives of persons with aphasia, a parallel version by 132 SLPs. More than 50% of all aspects concerning information and support were considered as (very) important by family members and SLPs alike. Nevertheless family members felt that some of their needs indicated as important were insufficiently met by SLPs.

Key words::

• Aphasia
• questionnaires
• social support
• speech therapy

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all the relatives of persons with aphasia as well as the SLPs who participated in this study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of this paper.