Caregivers of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya : An Ecological Perspective

Most of the HIV/AIDS caregivers in Kenya live in various parts of the country and share many of the trials and tribulations associated with providing care to someone suffering from a terminal illness. Some have been forced into the role due to the death of their love one, while others may have voluntarily taken on the responsibility on a firm belief that the care they provide will make a difference. The experiences shared in this book capture some of day-to-day political, social, economic, cultural challenges and obstacles encountered by the HIV/AIDS caregivers in Nairobi, Kenya. Caregiver challenges are reviewed and recommendations are offered on the way forward. It also explores the role of the church and international social work in addressing international issues. ___________________________________ Dr Charnetta Gadling-Cole is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Sociology and Social Work. She holds an appointment as a Scientist in the Center on Aging and a Scholar in the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center. Her research interest is in the areas of gerontology, care-giving and international social work. Dr. Sandra Edmonds Crewe is the Director of the Multidisciplinary Center for Social Gerontology at Howard University, Washington, DC. She is also associate Dean for academic & student affairs and equally serves as a member of the faculty of the School of Social Work's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Crewe's primary research interests are in the areas of aging, care-giving, and kinship care. Professor Mildred C. Joyner is Chair of the Undergraduate Social Work Department at West Chester University. Professor Joyner currently also serves as the President of the Council on Social Work Education. She is equally a member of the CSWE Gero-Ed Center (gerontological education) as well as a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Her research interests include child abuse, diversity issues and gerontology.