Socio-community care of people with disabilities: Experiences of caregivers living in south-central zone of Chile

Introduction: Care involves unequal relationships between gender, corporal conditions and responsibilities. This is especially sensitive for the participation and socio-community inclusion of people with disabilities and their caregivers. Aim: To analyze the perceptions of caregivers regarding the construction of socio-community care for people with disabilities in the south-central Zone of Chile. Method: Qualitative study from a situated feminist perspective. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with women caregivers of people with disabilities during the years 2021–2022. The interviews were based on qualitative thematic analysis. Results: The analysis revealed two central categories and six emerging subcategories: a) The world of the system; a.1) Health and rehabilitation, a.2) Education, a.3) Work, and b) The world of life; b.1) Family, b.2) Neighbors and friends, b.3) Community organizations. Socio-community care is a system of action and links that are woven between “The world of the system” and “The world of life” to sustain existence. They are a provision of support and assistance from public institutions and communities. Conclusions: Socio-community care is built with a lot of effort and exhaustion on the part of the families of people with disabilities, especially by women. Of particular importance is the responsibility and self-organization of communities to meet the needs and care of persons with disabilities. Hence the urgency to develop comprehensive care systems where the State takes greater and better responsibility.