The meaning of aphasia centres from the perspectives of people with aphasia and their relatives: understanding participation in the Dutch context

Figures & data

Table 1. Overview aphasia centres.

Aphasia centre	Location/organization	Open since	Opening hours during the week	Number of clients	Activities	Professionals and volunteers
A	Urban, big city Independent Aphasia Centre	16 years	5 days/week	30	Conversation groups (different groups related severity of aphasia) Reading groups Computer groups Painting group Singing group Participation group	1 coördinator (SLT) 2 speech language therapists, one specialized in aphasia 1 psychologist 1 nurse 10 volunteers, of which 3 with aphasia
B	Urban, big city Origin in community based aphasia group, part of community bases organization	12 years	3 days/week	22	Conversation groups (different groups related to severity of aphasia Reading group Computer group Practice group (practicing daily life activities like cooking, shopping, making phone calls, using public transport)	1 coördinator (SLT) 1 speech language therapist 1 social worker 1 psychologist (2 dayparts) 6 volunteers of which 2 with aphasia
C	Peripheral, small town Part of activity centre of a rehabilitation centre (daycare facility for people with physical disabilities)	2 years	2 days/week	10	Conversation group (one group)	1 coördinator (SLT) for intake, support plan for clients and support for social workers 2 social workers 4 volunteers

Table 2. Overview respondents interviews.

Respondent number	Age	Sex	Severity of aphasia	Marital state	Aphasia Centre
Clients
1	36–45	M	Severe	Married	B
2	36–45	F	Moderate	Married	A
3**	56–65	F	Mild	Married	C
4	56–65	M	Mild	Single	C
5	66–75	M	Severe	Married	C
6	36–45	M	Moderate	Married	B
7	46–55	F	Moderate	Divorced	C
8	46–55	M	Moderate	Married	B
9**	66–75	M	Severe	Married	A
10**	45–55	M	Severe	Married	A
11*	36–45	F	Mild/moderate	Divorced	A
12*	46–55	F	Mild/moderate	Married	B
Relatives
1	56–65	F	Severe	Spouse	B
2	66–75	F	Moderate	Spouse	B
3	36–45	F	Moderate	Spouse	A
4	36–45	F	Severe	Partner	A
5	46–55	F	Severe	Spouse	B
6	66–75	F	Severe	Spouse	A
7**	56–65	F	Severe	Spouse	A
8**	56–65	F	Mild	Spouse	B
9**	66–75	F	Severe	Spouse	A

Legenda:

*Interview with support of relative.

**Double interview (person with aphasia and relative).

Severity of aphasia: rated by the researchers, related to ability of verbal expression.

Table 3. Overview focus group meetings.

Focus group meeting	Number of participants and sex	Severity of aphasia*	Others present	Aphasia Centre
1	7: 3M, 4 F	Moderate/severe		C
2, Creative session	3: 2M, 1F	Moderate		B
3	7: 7 M	Severe	With professional and volunteer	C
4	5: 4M, 1F	Moderate	With a volunteer	C
5, Creative session	6: 4M, 2F	Severe	With professional and volunteer	B
6	8: 5M, 3F	Moderate	With professional	C
7	5: 3M, 2F	Moderate	With volunteer	A
8	3: 2M, 1F	Mild/moderate		A

*Severity of aphasia: rated by the researchers, related to ability of verbal expression.

Figure 1. Themes related to the value of the aphasia centre from the perspectives of clients and their relatives.