HIV/AIDS

Carer support

Volunteer carers are the most valuable resource for the community home based care programme. They typically work in high pressure, stressful, sometimes dangerous and often traumatic settings.

National Societies provide carers with a combination of physical, social and psychological support. These include:

• protective items such as gloves, soap and antiseptics to prevent transmission of infection
• appropriate training so volunteers feel well equipped for their tasks
• adequate supervision and coaching for volunteers
• setting aside a regular time each week when volunteers can share ideas, experiences and problems and spend social time together
• providing volunteers with regular support and encouragement and recognize their valuable contribution to the programme
• ensuring that volunteers have adequate rest and time with their own families
• if possible, ensure that volunteers work in pairs so they can support each other
• recognizing the risk of burnout and providing time and resources to manage stress among volunteers
• facilitating the grieving process and remembrance according to local customs

Publications

• Community home-based care for people living with HIV/AIDS, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2005
• Care for carers module in: HIV prevention treatment, care and support training modules, World Health Organization, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service, 2004