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The health of older family caregivers – a 6-year follow-up
- Authors:
- WRANKER Lena Sandin, ELMSTAHL Solve, CECILIA Fagerstrom
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 64(2), 2021, pp.190-207.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
It is unclear whether caregiving has an impact on the physical, mental and functional health of older caregivers. This study aimed to describe physical, mental and functional health in relation to family caregiving in old age (60+) over a six-year period. The study comprised 2,294 randomly selected individuals (60–96 years) from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care, who answered the question on whether they were caregivers and who were followed up six years later. The prevalence of family caregivers was 13.1% and the incidence was 12.4%. Four tracks (T) were identified; T1) Family caregiver both at baseline and follow-up (n = 74), T2) Family caregiver at baseline but not at follow-up (n = 226), T3) non-caregiver at baseline but family caregiver at follow-up (n = 218), T4) non-caregiver both at baseline and follow-up (1,776). Only non-caregivers (T4) reported a decline in mental health, p < .036. Worries about health increased significantly in T2 and T4. The prevalence of caregivers was 13.1% with a high turnover. There are differences between family caregivers and non-caregivers in deterioration in physical and mental health as well as physical function over a six-year period. (Edited publisher abstract)
Informal carers and private law
- Author:
- SLOAN Brian
- Publisher:
- Hart Publishing
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 290p.
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
Every day, large numbers of altruistic individuals, in the absence of any legal duty, provide substantial services for elderly and disabled people. In doing so, many such informal carers suffer financial and other disadvantages. This book considers the scope for a "private law" approach to rewarding, supporting or compensating carers, an increasingly vital topic in the context of an ageing population and the need for savings in public expenditure. Adopting a comparative approach, the book explores the recognition of the informal carer and his or her relationship with the care recipient within diverse fields of private law, from unjust enrichment to succession. Aspects of the analysis include the importance of a promise of a reward from the care recipient and the appropriate measure of any remedy. In considering the potential for expansion of a "private law" approach for carers, the book addresses the fundamental and controversial question of the price of altruism. Contents include: Introduction; property law claims: proprietary estoppel and constructive trusts; statutory enforcement of testamentary promises; unjust enrichment; family provision; ‘inter vivos’ provision on the breakdown of caring relationships; undue influence; and conclusion.
Advice for carers: a practical guide
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 43p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This guide provides advice for carers on the support that is available for them. It includes practical advice on: the benefits that are available for carers; disability benefits for the person being cared for and how to claim them; how to arrange flexible working hours; and how to organise respite care. It also includes information on the emotional side of caring and the impact it may have on the carer’s health and social life. Advice is also given on being actively involved in the care of someone who lives a long way away. As far as possible, the information given in this guide is applicable across the UK.
Age-related disability and bathroom use
- Authors:
- BURTON Maria, REED Heath, CHAMBERLAIN Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 19(1), February 2011, pp.37-43.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Over 5% of older people living in the community experience problems using the bathroom. With an ever ageing population, this age-related disability in bathroom use is destined to become even greater. Previous research has focused on how the person can be enabled to cope with the bathroom environment by functional training or introduction of assistive technologies. More recently attention has been drawn to the design of bathroom furniture. This article outlines the work undertaken to establish the views of the bathroom of older people and carers, and how involvement of older people as researchers has given strong direction, support and confidence in identification of issues in need of attention and in product development. Twenty four home visits where undertaken, and interviews were conducted to elicit views of positives and negatives within the bathroom. Main themes uncovered included concerns about safety in the bathroom, placement and sizing of furniture, and a general lack of space.
Customers' experiences of contact with the Pension, Disability and Carers Service
- Authors:
- WHITFIELD Grahame, et al
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 63p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report highlights findings from a research project investigating the circumstances surrounding the ways in which people who were customers of both The Pension Service (TPS) and the Disability and Carers Service (DCS) came into contact with the agency’s services. It was commissioned by the Pension, Disability and Carers Service. In depth interviews were held with men and women, 60 and older, drawn from the DCS customer database. Three discussion groups were also held. The report examines ways to overcome the barriers people experience in becoming aware of and contacting the service, making claims and in understanding the information provided and required by PDCS. It also examines how to harness the key role of family/friends and local partners in raising awareness among, and providing support to, older people in accessing services. Finally, the report outlines ways to better understand and respond to customers’ preferences and needs, and to manage and meet customers’ expectations of the service.
Unpaid older carers: the backbone of community care - what community care?
- Authors:
- DILLENBURGER Karola, MCKERR Lyn
- Journal article citation:
- Generations Review, 19(3), July 2009, Online only
- Publisher:
- British Society of Gerontology
A recent study conducted in Northern Ireland asked older parents who care for their sons and daughters with disabilities at home about their experiences. This article highlights some of their responses. Recommendations for policy makers are included.
Problematic caregiving activities among family carers of older adults with disabilities
- Author:
- ATOYEBI Oladele
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Care and Caring, 5(4), 2021, pp.571-589.
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
Family carers of older adults with disability often both experience stress that may affect their ability to provide care, and find some caregiving activities differentially challenging. The objectives of this research are to identify the caregiving activities that are most problematic to carers and to explore the reasons why carers found these activities challenging. Participants were past or current carers aged 19 years and older. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, data were collected through a survey and open-ended interviews. Thematic analysis revealed that an activity was likely to be more problematic if it had to be coordinated with other caregiving needs or where a care recipient’s disability was severe. (Edited publisher abstract)
Carers
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Parliament. House of Commons Library
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons Library
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 49
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing paper provides information about the number of carers in the UK and the issues they face, examining the rights, benefits and support available to carers as well as current and previous Government policy on caring. In particular, it brings together key data and policy on carers’ employment, incomes and earnings; benefit and allowances available to them; older carers; parent carers of disabled children; young carers; carers' health and wellbeing; local authority assessments and health and social care support for carers. It includes a brief discussion of past and future Government policy, including the proposed Carers Strategy and the forthcoming social care Green Paper. The briefing also contains some information relating to support for unpaid carers during the Coronavirus outbreak. (Edited publisher abstract)
Co-construction of an internet-based intervention for older assistive technology users and their family caregivers: stakeholders' perceptions
- Authors:
- GELINAS-BRONSARD Dominique, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 14(6), 2019, pp.602-611.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Purpose: Providing care to older adults using assistive technology can be challenging for family caregivers. To inform the development of an Internet-based intervention, this study aimed to identify older assistive technology users and family caregivers’ needs related to assistive technology procurement, and to explore how to offer remote support through an Internet-based intervention. Methods: Based on an iterative user-centered design approach, 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders about their experiences with assistive technology procurement/attribution and their perceptions of a proposed intervention. A modified content analysis approach was used, with a mix of emerging and a priori concepts. Results: Participants view assistive technology procurement as an ongoing cyclical process, with potential unmet needs at key moments before and after assistive technology procurement. Assistive technology user-family caregiver dyads needs focus on assistive technology information, access, assistive technology-person-context match, training and support. While participants felt there were benefits to the proposed intervention they also identified potential implementation barriers. Conclusion: Assistive technology Internet-based interventions dedicated to family caregivers should ensure systematic and tailored follow-up while integrating some form of human support. This study guides the prototype design of the proposed intervention towards a graded support approach, empowering assistive technology users and family caregivers to resolve assistive technology-related challenges. (Publisher abstract)
Longitudinal and reciprocal relationships between depression and disability in older women caregivers and noncaregivers
- Authors:
- BACON Kathryn L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 56(4), 2016, pp.723-732.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the study: Depressive symptoms and disability each increase the risk of the other, yet few studies have examined reciprocal associations between these conditions in a single study, or over periods longer than 3 years. These associations may differ in older caregivers due to chronic stress, health characteristics, or factors related to caregiving. Design and methods: Structural equation models were used to investigate relationships between depressive symptoms and disability over 3 interviews spanning 6 years among 956 older women (M = 81.5 years) from the Caregiver Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Results were evaluated separately for 611 noncaregivers and 345 caregivers to a relative or friend. Results: In noncaregivers, more depressive symptoms significantly predicted greater disability, whereas greater disability predicted increased depressive symptoms at the next interview in age-adjusted models. In contrast, there was not a significant relationship between depression and disability in either direction for caregivers. Further adjustment for body mass index and medical condition variables did not change these relationships. Implications: Caregivers did not exhibit longitudinal or reciprocal relationships between depressive symptoms and disability observed in noncaregivers. It is possible that older women caregivers are buffered by better physical condition or social interactions related to caregiving activities. (Edited publisher abstract)