Web of science - exported 12/7/2016

This critique of the term ‘carer’ argues that, although developed as a result of well-intentioned and socially-engaged research, it fails the people with whom it is most concerned, that is ‘carers’ and those who are cared for. The paper considers the historical and political development of the term ‘carer’ before examining research in various ‘carer’-related settings in the United Kingdom, namely mental health, physical and intellectual impairment, cancer and palliative care and older adulthood and dementia.

Recent research in Northern Ireland examining the needs and circumstances of informal carers has highlighted the personal and financial costs of caring. In this paper it is argued that these studies have taken no account of the particular expectations and attitudes towards informal care that exist within farm families. In these families there is a strong expectation that care for older relatives will take place almost entirely within the family. The reputation of the farm family within the local community is strongly dependent on their treatment of the older generation.

One of the major reasons for admission of patients to hospital in late stage disease is the inability of carers to continue to provide care at home. Specialist palliative care services have typically admitted patients for acute symptom control, terminal care and respite care to benefit them and their carers. This paper reports the results of a cross-sectional survey of inpatient respite care provision provided by specialist palliative care services and hospices in the UK.

Over the past half century, medical care has become less institutionalised, more autonomous, equitable and less costly. This has led to a shift from hospital-based delivery to community care. This paper examines the experiences of Canberra-based carers following this shift using interview data from a longitudinal qualitative study of 32 informal carers of a spouse with cancer. Cancer patients experienced poorly coordinated care. When carers observed the effects of errors and miscommunication on patients, they felt compelled to coordinate patient care.

Informal carers in the context of late modernity must negotiate two potentially conflicting discourses. One is associated with a post-traditional and increasingly individualized society characterized by ‘pure’ relationships with an emphasis on authenticity and choice. The other is a more traditional discourse found particularly in current health and social policy which relies explicitly on significant input by family carers. This ar ticle analyses the tensions arising from this paradox, specifically for older carers engaged in long-term care relationships.

Purpose: This meta-synthesis was conducted to explore qualitative spousal accounts of coping and adaptation to caregiving when their partner experienced a stroke. Method: Electronic databases were searched systematically and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied.

Aims and objectives: To develop and validate a scale to measure the burden experienced by community health volunteers.

Background: Research demonstrates the burden experienced by informal carers is substantial. There is no available information about the burden placed on community health volunteers, nor is there a scale developed for the purpose of measuring their burden.

Design: An instrument development and psychometric analysis study was undertaken.

Background: A diagnosis of cancer and its treatment can affect the quality of life of family members and other close associates. In particular, it affects the working lives of those who take on the role of an informal caregiver since they regularly provide unpaid practical and emotional support throughout the trajectory of the illness. To help informal caregivers successfully balance their caring and work responsibilities we developed a work-related guidance tool (Work it Out for Carers).