‘Stigma of care’ studied

Press, 14 November 1984, Page 9

‘Stigma of care’ studied

The stigma of residential care will be the topic of a seminar to be held at the Kingslea Centre on Saturday. The seminar, organised by the Residential Care Association, will be open to the public, and will run from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A senior lecturer in sociology at the University of Canterbury, Mr Bob Hall, will be the main speaker. He will talk about how stigma affects elderly people in need of residential care and its effect on young

people and their parents. Stigma arising from physical disability, a blemished character, race, religion, or gender will also be discussed by Mr Hall. A panel discussion involving former residents and staff of Kingslea will be held. The Canterbury chairman of the association, Mr Brian Pegler, said the seminar was aimed at increasing the awareness within the residential services of the effects of stigma. “We hope to break down

the barriers of stigma and to prevent some being created,” he said. Some people carried misperceptions of residential care, which added to stigma, said Mr Pegler. A charge to cover seminar expenses will be made to people attending. Members of the association would probably be charged $3 and non-members, $5. Further information on the seminar could be obtained from the principal of Kingslea, Miss Marion Judge.