The effect of disability on the needs of caregivers

Abstract

Purpose-The perception among carers and health professionals is that the health care system remains limited in its effectiveness and accessibility to non-institutionalized people with a mental illness. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of the care recipient's main disabling condition (either physical or mental) on the carer's perceived need for assistance in their role as carer. Design-Based on the data collected from the Australian Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, the investigation involved the non-institutionalized recipients of care with profound and severe disabilities, aged 15 years and over, residing in private dwellings and their primary informal carers. Findings-Regression analysis revealed that carers of those with a mental disability were 2.7 times more likely to report care needs unmet compared to carers of those with a physical disability. Further analysis using interactions showed that carers who were the adult children of mentally disabled parents reported a comparatively very large amount of perceived unmet need. Originality/value-If equity is measured in terms of perceived need rather than finite resources a case is made that primary carers of people with a mental disability experience greater burdens in care.

Estimating service demand for respite care among informal carers of people with psychological disabilities in Australia

“…The current study also found that carers with service demand for respite care had much greater overall need for support (85%) than their counterparts without service demand (38%), across multiple domains including respite care as well as financial, practical, and emotional or health support. Although not specific to respite care, previous research has shown that carers of persons with a psychological disability are 2.7 times more likely to report unmet care needs than carers of those with a physical disability 56 . Taken together, these findings suggest that the ‘packaging’ of services to meet the various needs of these carers through one channel may be beneficial 56 …”

“…Although not specific to respite care, previous research has shown that carers of persons with a psychological disability are 2.7 times more likely to report unmet care needs than carers of those with a physical disability 56 . Taken together, these findings suggest that the ‘packaging’ of services to meet the various needs of these carers through one channel may be beneficial 56 …”

“…Although not specific to respite care, previous research has shown that carers of persons with a psychological disability are 2.7 times more likely to report unmet care needs than carers of those with a physical disability. 56 Taken together, these findings suggest that the 'packaging' of services to meet the various needs of these carers through one channel may be beneficial. 56 Fourthly, many carers with an unmet need for respite care had service demand for respite care at multiple times, the most desired being at short notice or irregular basis, on weekends and on weekdays (each reported by 65-70% of carers with unmet need for respite care).…”

“…56 Taken together, these findings suggest that the 'packaging' of services to meet the various needs of these carers through one channel may be beneficial. 56 Fourthly, many carers with an unmet need for respite care had service demand for respite care at multiple times, the most desired being at short notice or irregular basis, on weekends and on weekdays (each reported by 65-70% of carers with unmet need for respite care). A limitation already noted is that timing of respite care needed was only asked of those who reported any unmet need.…”

Labour force participation of families coping with a disabling condition

“…The perception of inadequate service assistance and unmet care needs of informal caregivers is greater among those caring for relatives with mental disabilities compared to those caring for relatives with physical disabilities (Vecchio et al, 2009(Vecchio et al, , 2008. Individuals with a mental disability require a different set of services to allow them to participate in the community and conduct their activities of daily living (Williams and Doessel, 2001).…”