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This paper explores the different ways in which informal carers for people with dementia negotiate their care-giving role across the changing organisational and spatial landscape of care. In-depth qualitative data are used to argue that the decisions of carers are socially situated and the result of negotiations involving individuals, families and wider cultural expectations. These decisions affect where care occurs.

Italy has one of the highest percentages of older people in Europe, a trend likely to increase faster than elsewhere alongside greater disability. Family support is also weaker through demographic developments and greater female participation in the labour market, and public policies for frail older people are underdeveloped with wide regional variations. The national scheme, the indemnita di accompagnamento (companion payment), is paid to approximately 7.3% of severely disabled people over 65 based on assessment of need.

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize and critically evaluate the current literature that explains the use and non-use of formal community-based long-term care services by caregivers of persons with dementia. There are four issues related to formal community service use by caregivers: reluctance to initiate formal services; under-utilization of available services; delayed utilization of services; and inappropriate utilization of services.

In the future most people's lives will include at least one episode of unpaid caring. Find out the facts behind the people who balance their job with caring for a relative or friend.

• Already, 2.5 million people in England and Wales combine paid work with unpaid caring for a partner, relative or friend who is ill, frail or has a disability.

• 1.5 million carers work full-time, and of those, 140,000 care for 50+ hours per week.

• 90% of working carers are aged 30+ - in their prime employment years.

The update reports on an action research project which aimed to identify how best to support older family carers and their relatives with learning disabilities plan for a transition from living together in the family home. It found that there are eight distinct stages to this process. Moving on takes time and sensitivity on the part of services and workers. The process must develop at a pace and in a way that retains the confidence of the family carers. Firm plans are only realistic where a move is imminent. Where this is not the case preparation work is still vital. 3 refs. [Summary]

Caring with Confidence fund to be transferred to training and support projects. [Journal abstract]

This small-scale survey explored how effectively young carers were identified by councils and their partners. It also examined the assessment and delivery of services for young carers and their families. It drew on evidence from visits to eight council areas, focus groups with young carers and meetings with those who provide young carer support services