Caregiver Assessment of Support Need, Reaction to Care, and Assessment of Depression

Abstract

The aims of this study were to: (a) identify New Zealand informal carers' support needs; (b) assess caregivers' depression; and (c) assess positive and negative aspects of caregiving. A sample of 287 carers from throughout New Zealand was recruited by advertisements in carer support organizations literature, in 2008. Data were collected using Centre for Epidemiologic Short Depression scale (CES-D10), Caregivers Reaction Assessment scale (CRA), and open-ended questions. Carer burden was significant (p ≤ .01) in the 60 to 69 age group. The relationship between CRA and CES-D10 in carers in the 50 to 59, 60 to 69 carer age groups; and 0 to 29, 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80 plus care recipient age groups were also significant. Mean burden was highest in the 50 to 59 age group (77/120) with depression mean highest in the 30 to 39 age group (14/30). Carers commonly discussed the adverse effects of caregiving on identity, lifestyle, health, and financial situation. Lack of information, poor respite care, and combining work with care were major frustrations. If the government wishes to successfully pursue initiatives allowing people to remain at home, more resources are needed to adequately support carers.

A Cross-European Study of Informal Carers’ Needs in the Context of Caring for Older People, and their Experiences with Professionals Working in Integrated Care Settings

“…The informal carers in this study tended to prioritize the health and wellbeing of their loved ones over their own needs, a finding that has also been reported in other recent studies [5,6,10,12,13]. Given the overrepresentation of women in informal caregiving [3,33], this finding may have consequences for gender disparities in the deleterious effects of caregiving.…”

“…Many informal carers are themselves older in age (e.g., spouses of older people) and may face a greater risk of experiencing carer burden due to their own health and social care needs [10,11]. Caring for sick or older loved ones often comes with demands that can lead to challenges, for example: poor diet and limited exercise [10]; reduced quality of life, stress, anxiety and depression [5,12]; social isolation due to being or feeling unable to leave the home because of caring responsibilities [6]; and reduced income [5,13]. Approximately 5% and 8% of midlife women who provide care in the Scandinavian countries and Western Europe reduce their paid work hours or leave the labour force due to caring responsibilities [14].…”

Impact of Home Care Management on the Involvement of Informal Caregivers by Formal Caregivers

“…Guidelines could specify in which situation contact between formal and informal caregivers is indispensable, for instance, at the beginning of the caregiving process, if changes occur in the caregiving situation, or when clients lose the ability to make arrangements themselves. Accessibility to and clarity about who serves as the contact person in the agency is essential at all times though (Jorgensen, Arksey, Parsons, & Jacobs, 2009). …”

Close relationships in Parkinson´s disease patients with device‐aided therapy

“…There is a widespread trend toward fewer and shorter hospital stays and patients are, to a greater extent, left to self-manage their illness at home (Sundström & Johansson, 2004). Family caregivers are thus of economic benefit for the society (Jorgensen et al, 2009), but the increasing responsibilities for family caregivers can lead to emotional, economic, and social strain (Hempel et al, 2008;Theed et al, 2017).…”