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Item Social indicators and geographic research : an exploratory study of spatial variations in the provision of community services and accommodation for elderly people in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in geography at Massey University(Massey University, 1974) Britton, Stephen GrahamSocial Research and Social Learning: The operation of the welfare state system in New Zealand has undoubtedly shaped the national character and influenced at least implicitly, national socio-economic values.1 "A Welfare State is a state in which organised power is deliberately used (through politics and administration) in an effort to modify the play of market forces in at least three directions - first by guaranteeing individuals and families a minimum income irrespective of the market value of their property : secondly by narrowing the extent of insecurity by enabling individuals to meet certain "social contingencies" (for example: sickness, old age and unemployment) which lead otherwise to individual and family crises: and thirdly, by ensuring that all citizens without distinction of status or class are offered the best standard available in relation to a certain agreed range of social services". (Briggs : In Jones 1973 : 65). While several writers have documented the tangible benefits this system has offered to the nation as a whole and various social groups in particular (Baker 1955, Condliffe 1959, Scott 1955 and Sutch 1971) the welfare state concept as practiced in New Zealand has never been geared to actually anticipate or cope with any socio-economic problem outside its limited frame of application. While the Welfare State system originated in the depression era and gained strength into the 1950's, social demands today are increasingly less concerned with what Dunn (1971 : 183) has termed "deficit motives". What is now more worthy of consideration is a system of social organisation and administration that meets the human development motives of an affluent and dynamic society - demands that are not usually considered in the realm of national and political decision making. The need for a shift in the socio-political responsibilities of government was officially recognised in New Zealand at the 1969 National Development Conference, (N. D. C.). The various N. D. C. bodies identified vague and general areas of social concern outside of those issues confronted by the Welfare State system as being worthy of inclusion in Government responsibility. The National Development Conference also revealed to New Zealand government administrators that virtually no action was possible to remedy undesirable states, even if government was prepared to respond, simply because so little was known about the social phenomena in question, and only inadequate information was available on the existing states of New Zealand society. Moreover, there were few documented guidelines to suggest the future trends in New Zealand society and, indeed, what direction New Zealanders might prefer their society to take. New Zealand decision-makers and researchers were lacking in the fundamental tools for planning current and future states and coping with dysfunctions in many social fields. Data deficiencies are further exacerbated by the absence of any background of social inquiry outside of the economic sphere of national and social planning.Item Continuing the commitment-to-care : family members' experience of being visitors in a long-term care facility : a thesis presented in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at Massey University(Massey University, 1999) Holloway, LiaThe purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe and interpret the phenomenon of being a visitor to an older relative in a long-term care facility as experienced by eight family members. These family members were previously their relatives' primary carers in the community. Each family member was interviewed about two months after their relative entered a care facility, and seven of the family members again three months later. Their narratives gave rich descriptions which showed how being a visitor was an integral part of each family member's life. The study shows that most family members are very committed to continuing the caregiving relationship when they visit their relatives. Emotional commitment is especially high. Family members perceive their visits as benefiting both their relatives and themselves. Their attempts to continue to participate in caregiving, though mostly respected, are sometimes discouraged and, on occasions, seem to be resented by some staff. For this and other reasons family members perceive some lack of control in their interaction with staff and with their relatives. Thus being a visitor is a stressful and yet also a valuable experience to which they learnt to adjust themselves. Family members sought support and guidance from nurses especially in setting their visiting goals and in communicating with them and their relatives. This was particularly the case with cognitively impaired relatives. Even after routine patterns of interaction had been established, further assistance was needed as the health of a relative declined or their own circumstances changed. A better understanding of family perspectives is important if family roles are not to be determined only by organisational and resident perspectives. Health providers, including nurses, need to appropriately balance responsibilities toward family members and residents to make visits meaningful for both. In turn, family members have knowledge and skills which have accumulated usually over a long time of caregiving from which nurses can learn. The main theme of this study is continuing-the-commitment-to-care. This is supported by four essential themes: perceiving-visiting, learning-to-live-with-visiting, continuing-with-visiting, valuing-commitment-to-visiling.