Views

Of the UK‟s approximately six million carers, around half are aged over 50. A recent survey of carers in England showed that people near or over retirement age undertake a high proportion of caring.

As the location of long-term care of elderly people moves to homes and communities, and responsibility for care shifts to families, understanding the experience of people in this situation is necessary to ensure that support is appropriate, accessible and effective. The present paper explores informal caregivers’ and recipients’ relationships with formal support, drawing on thematic and narrative analysis of 30 in-depth interviews with self-identified family caregivers conducted over a year in a mid-size city in Ontario, Canada.

This paper reports on the experience of informal carers whose family members have received occupational therapy. The qualitative study focused on one city. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with six carers and the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The carers were generally satisfied with the occupational therapy that the care recipient received. The carers felt involved in the occupational therapy, although some had a lengthy wait for this.

This study explored the needs, aspirations and expectations of older people and family carers from a range of ethnic communities in Bradford, regarding both formal paid care provision and help from family, friends and neighbours. The focus was on the accessibility, acceptability, appropriateness and responsiveness of services. The study found cross-cultural similarities as well as cultural specificities in experiences and expectations. 

An investigation of people's attitudes, understanding and expectations of their individual or collective rights and responsibilities in old age.

The Right Care, Right Deal coalition combines three of the UK's largest charities working with older people, their families and carers (Counsel and Care, Carers UK and Help the Aged) to urge the Government to renew its vision for the future of social care in England. (See Related Link for the consultation document: The case for change: why England needs a new care and support system, 2008). This campaign document outlines the main issues needed to be tackled in order for there to be 'a new, personalised and better funded deal for social care, fit for the 21st Century'.

Talking from her own personal experiences, the author puts forward her view on what carers want from the NHS. 

BACKGROUND: Many terminally ill patients want to die at home. Family carers are fundamental to achieving this, but often feel anxious and unprepared for the role. Supporting them is vital in palliative care.

AIM: To explore the experiences of carers of patients dying at home, in particular their expectations and preparedness for the dying process.

METHOD: The study followed a qualitative approach. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with 15 carers were carried out.