Assessment

Services for people with learning difficulties are facing new challenges. These lie not only in the care of severely learning disabled clients, but also in the care of older people with a learning difficulty who develop dementia and support for their families, formal carers and friends.

This study investigates the prevalence of, and differences in, risk factor characteristics in a sample of two select populations of carers, one of which physically abused their elderly dependants and one of which neglected them. Nineteen carers (nine who had physically abused and 10 who had neglected their elderly relatives), who were referred to clinical psychology by either their general practitioner or their psychiatrist, were invited to take part in this study.

Describes a project to investigate carers' views of support provided to them after admission of their relative to a dementia assessment ward, and the planning of a support package for relatives (Caring and Coping with Dementia).

The present paper examines the importance of risk when supporting individuals with learning disabilities. It uses data from a small research project designed to examine the perceptions of risk held by users, carers and professionals, as well as the risk policies of agencies. Risk is an important issue in the provision of support. The service users in the present study saw risk primarily in terms of hazards. The carers were concerned about hazards and harm, but recognized the need for risk-taking. The professionals emphasized the importance of reasonable risk-taking.

Reports on the launch of ASTRID ( A Social and Technological Response to meeting the needs of Individuals with Dementia and their Carers) a European project funded under the Telematics Programme, involving the UK, Norway, Netherlands and Ireland. It aims to research and promote the use of assistive technology, a broad term which covers anything from simple devices for individuals to whole systems of adapting housing.

BACKGROUND: Although carers' reactions to schizophrenic illness in a close family member may have important implications for the patient and for themselves, little is known of factors that influence the way carers respond. In the area of physical health problems, people's models of their illness or illness representations have been found to be related to the ways they react and cope with their illness. This study examines the use of a modified form of the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) to investigate illness models in a sample of carers of schizophrenia patients.

Background There is a lack of instruments to measure the needs, stigma and informal care of people with schizophrenia that take account of sociocultural variation and patients' and formal and informal carers' opinions and experiences. Aims To develop questionnaires to measure stigma, needs and informal (non-professional) care for people with schizophrenia. Method We undertook the study in seven countries and in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

People caring for someone with a mental illness finally have a right both to an assessment and to have their assessed needs met. The author explains how much difference this will make to carers and their loved ones.

Successive legislation has underscored the importance of assessments that are sensitive to the needs of carers and take into account their ability and willingness to continue caring. This paper synthesizes qualitative and quantitative findings from a continuing programme of carer-related research that began in 1993 and has continued in parallel with legislative changes. It considers the process and characteristics of carer assessment from the perspectives of carers for individuals with a range of health and social care needs, and practitioners.

This article addresses some of the issues that need to be considered in implementing carer assessment in health and social service agencies. It is based on findings from three studies involving the use of the CARE (Caregivers’ Aspirations Realities and Expectations) Assessment Tool in Canada, a comprehensive psychosocial instrument. The first study, carried out between 1999 and 2001, was aimed at developing the CARE Tool, and had as one of its objectives to evaluate the feasibility of its implementation into ongoing practice.