View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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-DISABILITY GRANT The disability grant is important even if the person is not a breadwinner because the prosthesis and rehabilitation aids undergo wear and tear and therefore require maintenance. Not all amputees received disability grants before or after discharge: • The results reveal that (14) 56% amputees received disability grants. • Eleven (II) 44% did not receive disability grants but the application procedure was started while the amputees were still in the hospital It is the responsibility of the social worker to follow up the processing of these disability grants once the application has been submitted. -HOUSING AND BARRIERS EXPERIENCED BY AMPUTEES It was found in this study that the houses that were used by the amputees were not suitable for adaptation ofthe amputees after discharge from the hospital: • Eighty percent (80%) amputees reported that their houses were very small, did not allow free movement, especially for bilateral amputees as they were using wheelchairs, there were no driveways, and even those that were there were handmade and became very muddy and slippery on rainy days, thus confining the amputees to the bouse. • Four (4) 16% amputees reported that the toilets were outside, very far from the houses and therefore inaccessible. • Five (5) 20% amputees responded that their houses were suitable for their adaptation. Four (4) 16% of these amputees had upper limb amputations and (1)4% of these amputees had a house that was modified with the assistance of the family. No assistance was received from the Department ofHousing. -ASSESSMENT OF THE AMPUTEES READll\;X;SS FOR COMl\'IUNITY REINTEGRATION Amputees have to be physically and psychologically prepared to be introduced into the community: 94

• Seventeen (17) 68% amputees were assessed for readiness to be introduced into the conununity. • Eight (8) 32% amputees were not assessed for readiness for conununity reintegration. These are the clients who experience more barrier problems as well as psychological problems as they are introduced into the conununity. HOME VISITS BY THE REHABILITATION TEAM MEMBERS Visitation ofthe amputees' home in preparation for community reintegration is the purpose ofrehabilitation in order to identity environmental barriers, thereby preventing a dependent life style after discharge (Trombly, 1995:305). This study made it evident that horne visits are not done as (24) 96% amputees reported that their homes were not visited. Only (I) 4% amputee that was attending private hospitals was visited REHABILITATION TEAM MEMBERS THAT VISITED THE AMPUTEES HOME Only (I) 4% member visited one amputee. The rehabilitation team member that visited was the rehabilitation nurse who is not employed in the government hospitals. All the amputees who had problems at horne after discharge presented themselves to the hospital to report their problems instead ofthese problems being detected by team members during the visit HOME TRIAL LEAVE It is the aim ofthe rehabilitation team to grant horne trial leave for each amputee. This gives the amputees the opportunity to discover ifthey are accepted in the community, accessibility of the environment, to know if their activities of daily living will be met as well as recreational activities. This study revealed that amputees s1111 experience stigmatization and rejection by the conununity as well as by family members: • Sixteen (16) 64% amputees were rejected by their families. Their families thought it was too early for the amputees to be discharged. These were the respondents who were not given home trial leave and whose families were not prepared by the rehabilitation team to receive these patients. 95

• Seventeen (17) 68% amputees were assessed for readiness to be introduced into the<br />

conununity.<br />

• Eight (8) 32% amputees were not assessed for readiness for conununity reintegration.<br />

These are the clients who experience more barrier problems as well as psychological<br />

problems as they are introduced into the conununity.<br />

HOME VISITS BY THE REHABILITATION TEAM MEMBERS<br />

Visitation <strong>of</strong>the amputees' home in preparation for community reintegration is the purpose<br />

<strong>of</strong>rehabilitation in order to identity environmental barriers, thereby preventing a dependent<br />

life style after discharge (Trombly, 1995:305). This study made it evident that horne visits are<br />

not done as (24) 96% amputees reported that their homes were not visited. Only (I) 4%<br />

amputee that was attending private hospitals was visited<br />

REHABILITATION TEAM MEMBERS THAT VISITED THE AMPUTEES HOME<br />

Only (I) 4% member visited one amputee. The rehabilitation team member that visited was<br />

the rehabilitation nurse who is not employed in the government hospitals. All the amputees<br />

who had problems at horne after discharge presented themselves to the hospital to report their<br />

problems instead <strong>of</strong>these problems being detected by team members during the visit<br />

HOME TRIAL LEAVE<br />

It is the aim <strong>of</strong>the rehabilitation team to grant horne trial leave for each amputee. This gives<br />

the amputees the opportunity to discover ifthey are accepted in the community, accessibility<br />

<strong>of</strong> the environment, to know if their activities <strong>of</strong> daily living will be met as well as<br />

recreational activities. This study revealed that amputees s1111 experience stigmatization and<br />

rejection by the conununity as well as by family members:<br />

• Sixteen (16) 64% amputees were rejected by their families. Their families thought it<br />

was too early for the amputees to be discharged. These were the respondents who<br />

were not given home trial leave and whose families were not prepared by the<br />

rehabilitation team to receive these patients.<br />

95

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