Determinación del coeficiente de rugosidad “n” de Manning

Caregiver responses in relation to informal support highlighted experiences that lay on a continuum between adequate support from friends, family and occupational colleagues and

interpersonal and social disconnect which manifested as a lack of understanding from others or offers of support. An adequate level of support served to in turn impact on caregiver factors such as emotional functioning, and caregiver adjustment and burden. Caregivers continually highlighted their appreciation of the support of other people and for some caregivers being able to reach out and talk to friends or colleagues was helpful in managing emotional difficulties.

“I‟ve got a couple of good friends that I can unload on, this one particular girl is a…very good listener”. (C1: Spouse)

“…A girlfriend of mine is a sister, is very calm and logical… I‟ve got great friends, I have got absolutely wonderful friends, and I don‟t know what I would have done without them” (C3: Spouse)

Practical support from family and friends allowed the caregiver to take a required break, or provided an opportunity to complete other tasks. Given caregiver personality characteristics (detailed further in 3.2.2) that included a history of taking care of others and not wanting to burden others, some caregivers commented that mere passive offers of support were not always sufficient, and an active provision of support was required by others in order for the caregiver to accept the offer.

“All my friends have been fantastic: so nice. They took me out to lunch last Thursday, one of them wants to buy me a day at a spa, and I said, if I only had the time: you know little things like that. They've just been incredibly supportive, and loving, and offering to help us out in any way they can. When John was in

hospital, and I had both of the kids, and was going a bit nuts, people would cook things for us, and bring us dishes: you know, without even asking. They just did it, and said here's this: enjoy, or sometimes, I had someone come over, and say, I'm coming to take care of the kids. You get out of the house, and you

go and do something, and I so appreciated that! Because this is very helpful for your study: no matter how many offers you have, from really nice people, I have a hard time asking for help. I have a hard time

saying, yes, that would be great. I would love it. I never ask: I just love it when people just say, “I'm coming. You do this: you get out”, and you need that: I needed that”. (C16: Spouse)

Motivational and emotional encouragement of the stroke survivor by friends and family was also deemed as valuable by caregivers.

“So every day because he was literally down the road from the XXX Ambulance Station, every day his colleagues were dropping in with a coffee or dropping in to see him. Trevor actually celebrated his birthday when we were there and we actually organised a surprise party, a barbeque with all the ambos

so they literally - about 30 of them turned up...He was just blown away by that, all the support from his colleagues. It just really made him really emotional that day. After they‟d gone he was like holding it together. It was really nice to see the level of support that was constantly coming in. So every day he

was coming in and I was able at that point with - that‟s at the point that I started to transition back into work part-time, which was great. That was the best outcome in terms of the location for us because all

family and friends and all of his ambo colleagues were regularly going in to see him so it just kept him regularly entertained and focused on, everyone was looking out for him whereas if he‟d been at XXX he

would have been in complete isolation so it‟s a bit different”. (C24: Spouse)

Flexible and accommodating employers allowed caregivers to adjust their work schedule to fit around their stroke survivor care responsibilities whilst minimising the degree of financial strain incurred.

“But the company was very good. They gave me three months off with pay and then let me stay in Australia for a while after that, so I could actually keep my job, although my initial thought was I thought I

was going to have to give up my job”. (C23: Spouse)

A lack of even passive offers of support seemed to have a large effect on some caregivers. Some caregivers felt disappointed and resentful of the negligence of other family members and friends, especially from people they would have expected to assist.

“… I‟m so disappointed with peoples‟ behaviour. These places, these doctors, these ladies I go to up here. Tim‟s known them for many, many years. They‟ve never made one suggestion”. (C7: Sibling)

Some caregivers reported a lack of support from others (e.g. their children) but seemed to accept this without bitterness, acknowledging that these individuals were already pre-occupied with several other demands and responsibilities.

“He‟s very helpful, but he‟s a young person, he‟s studying, he‟s working, he‟s a musician, he‟s doing hundred things. I cannot depend on him, or ask him too much”. (C18: Spouse)

Finally, at times, conflict or interpersonal problems with other family members who did not offer support to the caregiver or stroke survivor or who challenged/blocked the caregiver‟s decisions was said to occur, placing further stress on the caregiver.

“Well it‟s just sort of hitting your head against a brick wall basically, because I did say to her husband „ring ACAT, see if you can get an assessor to come in, look at your house, see what we can do about doing

that‟. He‟s done nothing...But yes, it‟s not solely hospital and ACAT… I‟ve got a problem with him (stroke

survivor/sibling’s husband) as well”. (C15: Sibling)