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time to be visited by old coping amputees to support them and discuss with them coping
with amputation and prosthesis, as compared to (10) 40% who did not get time to discuss
with old amputees. (10) 40% visited the limb fitting centre where they observed different
types of prosthesis and were taught about fitting of the prosthesis. A psychologist
attended to only (2) 8% and 92% were not seen, while a psychiatrist attended to only (2)
8% who had major depression and (23) 92% were not seen by the psychiatrist This
clearly indicates that very few amputees were attended to by all members of the
rehabilitation team.:
The results indicate that the majority of the amputees did not get psychological support
from the rehabilitation team members but that some got support from their families. One
amputee relapsed in such a way that he actually needed to be seen by the psychiatrist.
SOCIAL CARE
5.5.5 ITEM 16 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Amputees experience financial problems, as they cannot return to work immediately after
amputation and require long-term rehabilitation. Even upper limb amputees whom
research have revealed are in the category that return to work after amputation, require
financial assistance, because they also undergo rehabilitation sessions until their sick
leave is exhausted. During the unpaid leave period, they default rehabilitation
programmes because of financial crises, which in turn retards their rehabilitation
progress. This item was included to investigate ifall amputees do get financial assistance
to meet their basic needs.
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