A bridge between a lonely soul and the surrounding world: A study on existential consequences of being closely related to a person with aphasia

Abstract

This study illuminates existential consequences of being closely related to a person suffering from aphasia. Seventeen close relatives were interviewed and their narratives were interpreted with inspiration from Ricoeur, Levinas, Husserl, Winnicot, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. The emerging interpretations resulted in four themes that illuminate a life characterized by lost freedom, staying, a new form of relationship, and growing strong together with others. An overarching theme suggests that a life together with an aphasic person means being used as a bridge between the aphasic person and the surrounding world. Moreover, it illuminates that a close relative to a person with aphasia is a person who does not leave, despite a heavy burden of lonely responsibility. It is concluded that community services need to fulfill their responsibility of providing support to informal caregivers as suggested by the Swedish lawmakers.

Key words: Close relatives, stroke, aphasia, community service, life world, hermeneutics

(Published: 21 November 2011)

Citation: Int J Qualitative Stud Health Well-being 2011, 6: 7911 - DOI: 10.3402/qhw.v6i4.7911