An assessment of the relationship between informal caring and quality of life in older community-dwelling adults: more positives than negatives?

Authors:
RATCLIFFE Julie, et al
Journal article citation:
Health and Social Care in the Community, 21(1), 2013, pp.35-46.
Publisher:
Wiley

This study used the Index of Capability (ICECAP-O) instrument to measure the quality of life of a representative sample of the older South Australian population according to carer status. A survey including the ICECAP-O instrument, carer status and several socio-demographic questions was administered in 2009 to 789 individuals aged 65 years or older in their own homes. A total of 671 individuals characterised themselves as a non-carer and 115 individuals characterised themselves as an informal carer. In general, carers exhibited relatively high quality of life as measured by the ICECAP-O, with carers having comparable mean ICECAP-O scores to non-carers in the general population. The results indicated statistically significant variations in overall ICECAP-O scores according to age, with younger participants tending to have slightly higher scores on average. Average ICECAP-O scores were noticeably lower for carers who were separated or divorced and for carers who lived alone. The authors concluded that the provision of informal care may be associated with a positive impact upon quality of life for many caregivers, which may mediate the negative aspects arising from the burden associated with informal care-giving.

Subject terms:
informal care, older people, quality of life, carers;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Australia
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1365-2524
ISSN print:
0966-0410

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