Supportive social networks to homecare: descriptive exploratory research

Abstract

Introduction: Supportive social networks are important to improve people’s health conditions and quality of life, particularly regarding home care. Objectives: To identify supportive social networks used by families as well as the ones recommended by health professionals for homecare, to classify them according to the kind of support and relationship offered and approach them. Methodology: Descriptive exploratory qualitative research carried out in 2010 by means of a semi-structured interview with seven families and five users undergoing homecare and ten homecare professionals from a Health Unit. Results: For the families, spiritual support was the most reported, affective one was the least meaningful; the professionals recommended private institutions, NGOs and foundations for material support but most of them reported non-involvement with spiritual support. Families’ informal support ultimately came from individuals, which was little reported by the professionals. As for the formal support, families reported religious institutions while professionals cited private organizations, public institutions and advocacy ones. Conclusion: It is necessary for nurse to advise the family to which it is to restructure and divide tasks to assist in homecare through the use of supportive social networks. Articulation between health professionals and local institutions is suggested in order to set up a supportive social network aiming to improve care and foster a positive impact in users’ and caregivers’ health.