Evde Bakım Hizmeti Veren Kadınların Yaşam Deneyimleri: Eskişehir Örneği

Abstract

This study aims to bring out the life experiences of women who homecare giving. Data obtained from the in-depth interviews with 25 participants by using qualitative research method, evaluated within 3 categories as; ‘domestic labor of woman’, ‘experience at home care’ and ‘the thoughts about the home care service’ according to feminist social work theory. The data has been analyzed via NVivo 11 program. In consequence of the data analysis, it is determined that home caregiver participants (women) have experienced physical, economic, psychological, social and educational problems; regarded to women’s domestic labor they have dealt with the domestic works (cleaning, washing, cooking, shopping) on one hand while caregiving to disabled person on the other hand. It is also emerged that domestic work responsibilities are mainly on the shoulders of participants, and responsibility share is not determined with sharp boundaries and not executed equally; but home based caregiving aid contributes to economy of participants and families positively regarded to the participants’ opinions of homecare giving services. It is determined that participants state negative opinions about the idea of disabled individuals staying within the institutional caregiving service as participants have some opinions that no other institution serve the family care, disabled patient’s illness might decrease, institution care is qualified as disabled person’s throwing out of home and disabled individual might be neglected and abused in institutional care. Within the conclusion and recommendation part, suggestions were offered regarded to social work theory and practice and social policies according to research results.