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When and how to initiate discussion about prognosis and end-of-life issues with terminally ill patients

The aim of this study was to explore by whom, how, and when discussions about prognosis and end-of-life issues should be initiated with terminally ill patients, and the context in which these issues can be optimally discussed. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with 19 palliative care (PC) patients, 24 carers, and 22 PC health professionals (HPs). Participants had disparate views regarding by whom and when such discussions should be initiated, although a similar range of perspectives was expressed by all participant groups.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:16

Hospital versus home care for the acutely mentally ill? Preferences of caregivers who have experienced both forms of service

Objective: Demonstration studies of community treatment as an alternative to hospitalization have reported high degrees of satisfaction by family carers. We aimed to determine the extent of carer preference for hospital versus community treatment for acute mental illness in a routine setting where carers had experienced both service types.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:15

Discussing prognosis and end-of-life care in the final year of life: a randomised controlled trial of a nurse-led communication support programme for patients and caregivers

Introduction Timely communication about life expectancy and end-of-life care is crucial for ensuring good patient quality-of-life at the end of life and a good quality of death. This article describes the protocol for a multisite randomised controlled trial of a nurse-led communication support programme to facilitate patients’ and caregivers’ efforts to communicate about these issues with their healthcare team.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:15

Community care: challenging the assumption of gratuitous care

This paper critically examines the reliance of formal home-based services upon the availability of informal carers and questions whether the level of informal assistance is sustainable. The paper challenges the 'taken for granted' assumptions of community care and contends that residential care should be seen in terms of a transition - a 'safe harbour' both for recipients and carers.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:15

Conflicting agendas between consumers and carers: the perspectives of carers and nurses

Increasingly, Australian government policy advances an expectation that consumer and carer participation will be present in all aspects of mental health service delivery. A review of the literature suggests that consumers and carers actively seek the opportunity to participate but are frequently hampered by barriers. However, government policy documents tend to discuss consumers and carers with regards to participation as though their needs and desires are essentially similar.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:15

Who cares? A profile of people who care for relatives with a mental disorder

Objective: To profile the Australian adults who are caring for a relative with a mental disorder.

Method: Data came from the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007 (NSMHWB), a nationally representative household survey of 8841 individuals aged between 16 and 85 years.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:15

From Assistance to Prevention: Categorizing Young Carer Support Services in Australia, and International Implications

Young people who provide unpaid care for a relative with chronic illness or disability are a growing focus of public policy and research in Australia and internationally. Support services for these young carers have emerged, but not enough is known about their effectiveness. This article develops an analytical framework that categorizes young carer support services according to their goals and the types of intervention provided. The analytical framework is based on Australian data.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:15

The effect of unpaid caregiving intensity on labour force participation: Results from a multinomial endogenous treatment model

It is well acknowledged that the intensity of caregiving affects the labour force participation of caregivers. The literature so far has not, however, been able to control effectively for the endogeneity of caregiving intensity. This paper contributes by dealing with the endogeneity of unpaid caregiving intensity when examining its impact on the labour force participation of caregivers. We distinguish between care provided to people who cohabit with the care recipient and care provided to recipients who reside elsewhere, as well as between primary and secondary caring roles.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:14

The physical functioning and mental health of informal carers: evidence of care-giving impacts from an Australian population-based cohort

Informal carers represent a substantial proportion of the population in many countries and health is an important factor in their capacity to continue care-giving. This study investigated the impact of care-giving on the mental and physical health of informal carers, taking account of contextual factors, including family and work. We examined health changes from before care-giving commenced to 2 and 4 years after, using longitudinal data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey. The sample comprised 424 carers and 424 propensity score-matched non-carers.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:14

What kinds of jobs help carers combine care and employment?

This paper provides information about what job characteristics promote or inhibit maintaining employment while caring. Using a nationally representative longitudinal data set—the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey—the paper traces the effects of the onset of care on labour force participation.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:13