RESUMO
According to a literature study and a research survey conducted in 2004; caregivers are increasingly forced to deal with people living with AIDS as health services are unable to cope with the fast-growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. Caring for an individual with AIDS-related disease is usually time-consuming; burdensome and stressful. There is also evidence of increased susceptibility to physical health problems; emotional distress and psychiatric disturbances amongst caregivers. There are a number of strategies that should be employed to ensure that caregivers are encouraged to do their work to the best of their ability; without them having to sacrifice their health; family life and own needs. One of the strategies that could help in this regard is the presentation of a group work programme. A programme was presented to 14 female caregivers from a church in a disadvantaged community. The group met for eight consecutive weeks. During the two-hour sessions various topics; including self-knowledge; self-esteem; communication;conflict handling; roles of caregivers; and relationships with the person living with AIDS; were discussed. The group members were subjected to measurement by means of the single system. According to this measurement and an evaluation questionnaire; the programme did succeed in supporting and empowering them as caregivers