The experience of whanau caring for members disabled from the effects of a cerebro-vascular accident.

The study sought to understand the experience of Māori in accepting responsibility for the care of a whanau member following a cerebro-vascular accident (CVA). The importance and role of whanau, kaumatua and kuia to Māori as a distinctive ethnic entity is well known and acknowledged in coming to an understanding of Māori society. Whanau has a very large part to play in the care of the family member disabled by CVA. There is extensive literature that deals with these issues, yet there is little that deals with disability issues and in particular those issues that arise following CVA. A qualitative study was conducted examining the experience of Whanau caring for members disabled from the effects of CVA. Individual and focus group interviews were undertaken with Māori patients and their caregivers to explore this phenomenon. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach and highlighted three time stages of concern, namely (1) the onset of the event, (2) hospitalisation, and (3) discharge care.