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Asset Literacy Following Stroke: Implications for Disaster Resilience
Tracey L O'Sullivan1,2, Christine Fahim3, Elizabeth Gagnon2
1Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
|October 18, 2017
Summary
Stroke survivors and caregivers identify key assets for daily living and disaster preparedness. Enhancing asset literacy is crucial for building household resilience and supporting community-wide disaster risk reduction efforts.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Disaster Medicine
- Stroke Rehabilitation
Background:
- Stroke affects 1 in 6 individuals, with aging populations and better survival rates increasing the number of survivors needing ongoing support.
- The growing population of stroke survivors with functional limitations necessitates a comprehensive, societal approach to disaster risk reduction.
- Understanding the resources stroke survivors and caregivers utilize is vital for enhancing their capacity in daily life and disaster response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the assets stroke survivors and caregivers deem valuable for managing daily activities and independent living.
- To identify useful assets for stroke survivors and caregivers in responding effectively to disaster situations.
- To inform the development of strategies that bolster household resilience and asset literacy post-stroke.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative content analysis was performed on interview transcripts from stroke survivors and their caregivers.
- Assets identified by participants were systematically categorized into four distinct classes: social, physical, energy, and personal characteristics.
- The findings were visualized using a household map to illustrate asset distribution and mobilization.
Main Results:
- Identified assets were classified into social, physical, energy, and personal characteristics, presented visually as a household map.
- Mobilizing these assets for resilience is complex but essential, requiring self-efficacy and motivation to translate awareness into action.
- A conceptual model of asset literacy and household resilience following stroke was developed based on emergent themes.
Conclusions:
- Enhancing asset literacy empowers stroke survivors and caregivers, fostering greater household resilience.
- Interventions focused on asset literacy can promote an all-of-society approach to disaster risk reduction.
- Key elements for successful interventions include awareness, empowerment, participation, innovation, and engagement.