Miscellaneous

It is estimated that one in three people will care for a person with dementia in their lifetime. Dementia is a degenerative condition that has a wide reaching effect on the lives of those with the condition and those that care for them. Carers Trust was delighted to receive the support of Ecclesiastical Insurance so that we were able to undertake this comprehensive research into the needs of carers of people with dementia from the point of concern that a family member or friend may have dementia to the end of life.

Aims and objectives To explore the perceived caring needs in patient-partner dyads affected by heart failure to develop an understanding of potential areas of support. Background Being affected by heart failure has a great impact on both the patient and the partner but until now contemporary care has remained patient focused. Design A qualitative study design was used. Methods Eight focus group interviews were performed, which included nineteen patients diagnosed with heart failure and their cohabiting partner.

Background Few studies have investigated wellbeing and burden in carers of people with severe multiple sclerosis (PwSMS). Objectives To assess the impact of providing care to PwSMS, and explore variables associated with perceived carer burden. Methods Cross-sectional assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL), mood symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), and perceived carer burden (22-item Zarit Burden Interview, ZBI) in 78 PwSMS carers.

This paper explores the daily experiences and occupational needs of family carers of people who were dying, with particular reference to their daily routines and ability to undertake other varied activities during the period of care. The impact of the caring experience on these occupations was then examined to determine how, and if, these occupational needs were addressed in the community using potential and available services. An exploratory approach using grounded theory was employed to examine these experiences.

Objective: The study investigated the capabilities important to the health of people caring informally for elders. Method: Over 4 months, 60 informal caregivers from New Zealand participated in online discussion boards that provided a set of virtual forums. It drew upon the Capability Approach (Sen, 1980) to frame a qualitative inquiry whereby participants could anonymously respond to an evolving joint discussion of their health needs. Template analysis based on Nussbaum’s (2007) list of essential human capabilities informed the thematic analysis.

Requirements set out for the social work degree and post‐qualifying framework specify the involvement of service users and carers on a number of levels. Research indicates that service user and carer involvement can benefit students, professionals and service users and carers themselves. To keep up with demands placed on service users and carers by higher education institutions and other social work bodies, the issue of capacity needs to be addressed.

This article examines the impact caring for a spouse with Alzheimer's disease has on the caregiver. The author, arguing family caregivers often suffer from fatigue, depression, social isolation, anxiety, and physical illness as a result of the stress involved, maintains outside support for caregivers is crucial for their well-being and can benefit the patient.

Objectives: Meta-analysis studies of specific types of support groups are limited. We conducted a review and assessment of the effectiveness of support groups for caregivers of demented patients, and examined the impact of support group characteristics.

Background: Equitable access to health care is a challenge in many low-income countries. The most vulnerable segments of any population face increased challenges, as their vulnerability amplifies problems of the general population. This implies a heavy burden on informal care-givers in their immediate and extended households. However, research falls short of explaining the particular challenges experienced by these individuals and households.

Background: Patients with brain tumors form a heterogeneous group in terms of clinical presentation and pathology. However, the impact of the disease on patients′ families is often more homogenous and frequently quite profound. A considerable body of literature is available on the management of brain tumors and recently, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has developed guidelines on the care of brain tumor patients that should improve the overall outcome for the patient from both the disease and psychological aspects.