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Older people – recipients but also providers of informal care: an analysis among community samples in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- MCGEE Hannah M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 16(5), September 2008, pp.548-553.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Data on both the provision and receipt of informal care among populations of older adults are limited. Patterns of both informal care provided and received by older adults in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Northern Ireland (NI) were evaluated. A cross-sectional community-based population survey was conducted. Randomly selected older people (aged 65+, n = 2033, mean age (standard deviation): 74.1 years (6.8), 43% men, 68% response rate) provided information on the provision and receipt of care, its location, and the person(s) who provided the care. Twelve per cent of the sample (251/2033) identified themselves as informal caregivers (8% RoI and 17% NI). Caregivers were more likely to be women, married, have less education and have less functional impairment. Forty-nine per cent reported receiving some form of care in the past year. Care recipients were more likely to be older, married, have more functional impairment, and poorer self-rated health. Receiving regular informal care (help at least once a week) from a non-resident relative was the most common form of help received. Five per cent (n = 102/2033) of the sample reported both providing and receiving informal care. Levels of informal care provided by community-dwelling older adults were notably higher than reported in single-item national census questions. The balance of formal and informal health and social care will become increasingly important as populations age. It is essential, therefore, to evaluate factors facilitating or impeding informal care delivery.
Report into older people and domiciliary care: together with minutes of proceedings of the committee relating to the report and the minutes of evidence
- Author:
- NORTHERN IRELAND. Northern Ireland Assembly. Public Accounts Committee
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Assembly. Public Accounts Committee
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
Many workers are deserting their posts because of poor morale, a report from the Public Accounts Committee said. It examined how the Department of Health is trying to transform its system from mainly residential care to supported care at home. It said steps must be taken to raise the esteem of the caring profession. The report added: "The committee advised that failure to address this issue could lead to a shortfall in the standard and supply of domiciliary care services for older people." The recommendations come in a paper entitled "Report into Older People and Domiciliary Care at home". Some workers are paid close to the minimum wage of £5.52 per hour and private companies which provide the care have accused health authorities of failing to set aside enough money, said the committee. In the voluntary sector, the lack of guaranteed hours, the low hourly rates payable and the often poor conditions of employment can affect the morale of staff and hinder recruitment and retention of staff.
Aspects of informal caring: some results from a study of a small town in Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- OFFER John, ST LEGER Fred, CECIL Rosanne
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Department of Health and Social Services
- Publication year:
- 1988
- Pagination:
- 56p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
Exploring the prevalence of and factors associated with pain: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling people with dementia
- Authors:
- BARRY Heather E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 24(3), 2016, pp.270-282.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pain among this community-dwelling people with dementia (PWD) and to explore medication use. It also sought to investigate patient and caregiver variables associated with the presence of pain. Community-dwelling PWD and their caregivers were recruited between May 2009 and July 2012 from outpatient memory clinics in Northern Ireland to take part in a face-to-face structured interview with a researcher. Patients' cognitive status and presence of depression were established. A full medication history was taken. Both patients and caregivers were asked to rate patients' pain, at the time of the interview and on an average day, using a 7-point verbal descriptor scale. From the 206 patients who were eligible to take part, 75 patient–caregiver dyads participated in the study (participation rate = 36.4%). The majority of patients (92.0%) had dementia classed as mild or moderate. Pain was commonly reported among the sample, with 57.3% of patients and 70.7% of caregivers reporting patient pain on an average day. Significant differences were found between patients' and caregivers' reports of pain. Two-fifths of patients (40.0%) were prescribed analgesia. Antipsychotic, hypnotic and anxiolytic drug use was low, whereas antidepressant drugs were prescribed more commonly. Presence of pain was unaffected by dementia severity; however, the use of prescribed analgesic medication was a significant predictor of the presence of pain in these patients, whether reported by the patient or their caregiver ‘right now’ or ‘on an average day’. Patient and caregiver recruitment was challenging, and remains a barrier to research in this area in the future. (Edited publisher abstract)
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.
Inspection report on day care services for dementia sufferers and their carers in Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- FITZPATRICK J.S., MARTIN P., CULBERT E.A.N
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Department of Health and Social Services. Social Services Insp
- Publication year:
- 1993
- Pagination:
- 67p.,tables.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
Looks at policy issues and goes on to deal with: prevalence of dementia in Northern Ireland; models of existing practice; current practice in 5 day care units; and elements of good practice. Also includes a directory of day care services. A separate volume contains a literature review.
Making Belfast work: the North and West Belfast dementia project; 1st year evaluation
- Author:
- REID Gillian
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Department of Health and Social Services, Extra Care, North an
- Publication year:
- 1992
- Pagination:
- 58p.,tables,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
Evaluation of a service providing relief care for the carers of dementia sufferers that involves close working between voluntary and statutory organisations.
Hospital2future caring options
- Authors:
- HENDERSON Mary, comp.
- Publisher:
- Dargan Publications; Care2Share NI
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Place of publication:
- Newtownabbey
This booklet provides information for carers on the hospital discharge process and what this might mean for their caring role and future options for care. The first section looks at key issues to consider leading up to hospital discharge. The second section looks at the caring role, including the pressure carers can face and the support strategies they can use. The third section looks at choosing a care home, including emotional and practical considerations. The final section looks at consulting on financial and legal affairs. It is one of a series of three booklets developed specifically for carers of friends or relatives and those working in the caring profession. The series aims to help meet the challenges of caring, whilst also balancing these responsibilities with a carers own wellbeing.
Confident2care
- Authors:
- HENDERSON Mary, comp.
- Publisher:
- Dargan Publications; Care2Share NI
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Place of publication:
- Newtownabbey
This booklet provides information and resources to help carers build their confidence and skills. It has four main sections. These cover the Caring role, including; Dealing with Change, which highlights the importance of self-care, assertiveness, managing stress and good communication; Managing financial and legal issues; and Future Caring Options. It is one of a series of three booklets developed specifically for carers of friends or relatives and those working in the caring profession. The series aims to help meet the challenges of caring, whilst also balancing these responsibilities with a carers own wellbeing.
Family care-giving and decisions about entry to care: a rural perspective
- Authors:
- RYAN Assumpta, MCKENNA Hugh, SLEVIN Oliver
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 32(1), January 2012, pp.1-18.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This qualitative study undertaken in a large Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland investigated rural family carers' experiences of the nursing home placement of an older relative. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 relatives of nursing home residents. Findings revealed that older people had deep attachments to their homes and entry to care was a last resort. Rural family carers had close relationships with health and social care practitioners and felt supported in the decision-making process. The choice of home was a foregone conclusion for carers who had a strong sense of familiarity with the nursing homes in their area. This familiarity was influenced by the relatively rural communities in which respondents resided, which seemed to thrive in these small communities. This familiarity, in turn, influenced the choice of nursing home, timing of the placement and responses of family carers. The findings indicate that issues such as location and familiarity warrant a more detailed exploration in future research on entry to care.