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Health status and work burden of Alzheimer patients' informal caregivers : comparisons of five different care programs in the European Union

BACKGROUND: In 1998, a research study was conducted to compare existing programs in the European Union providing both care to people with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, and support to their informal caregiver. METHOD: Five programs were selected in seven centres. Home social services (Denmark), Day centres (Germany), Expert Centres (Belgium, Spain), Group Living/Cantou (Sweden, France), Respite hospitalization (France). In each centre, 50 patients were randomly selected. The questionnaire addressed informal caregivers (or referents).

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:11

Under pressure: the impact of caring on people supporting family members or friends with mental health problems

This report is based on findings from a large national survey of carers’ views carried out between November 2002 and February 2003. Under Pressure focuses on two principle questions: how has the mechanism introduced to provide carers with a gateway to statutory support, the carers’ assessment, been received?; and what helps carers to support their own health and well being?

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:10

From provider to enabler of care? reconfiguring local authority support for older people and carers in Leeds, 2008 to 2013

This article explores developments in the support available to older people and carers (i.e., caregivers) in the city of Leeds, United Kingdom, and examines provision changes during a period characterized by unprecedented resource constraint and new developments in national-local governance. Using documentary evidence, official statistics, and findings from recent studies led by the author, the effects of these changes on service planning and delivery and the approach taken by local actors to mitigate their impact are highlighted.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:10

What are the most effective and cost-effective services for informal carers of older people?

Since the community care reforms of the early 1990s, practical support for informal carers has become one of the key building blocks of community care policy in England and Wales. In 2004, Linda Pickard wrote a report for the Audit Commission called The Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of Support and Services for Informal Carers of Older People. This summary highlights the key points.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:10

Acting up : role ambiguity and the legal recognition of carers

The contribution made by informal carers to the provision of care in the community in the UK is formally acknowledged in the 1995 Carers (Recognition and Services) Act. This legislation has focussed attention, once again, on the relationship between formal services and those providing informal care. The Act has re-created a lack of clarity about the position carers hold in the carer dyad. Findings are presented here from an exploratory study about the experience of dementia.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:10

Access all areas

The Access Initiative is run by the Minority Ethnic Carers of Older People Project in partnership with Edinburgh Council, West Lothian Council, minority ethnic carers, and older people. Its twin aims are to give carers from Edinburgh's south Asian and Chinese communities a break from caring and to provide culturally competent services for older members of the family who need care. [Introduction]

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:10

Pamela pushes barriers aside

A project worker who identified gaps in services for ethnic minority carers of people with mental health difficulties provided the catalyst for Birmingham's Pamela Project, which won a Community Care Award. Anabel Unity Sale reports. [Introduction]

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:10

Services to support carers of people with mental health problems : briefing paper

This paper summarises findings of a review of research evidence and current service provision of support of carers of people with mental health problems (Arksey et al., 2002). Research consisting of (i) a literature review and (ii) a consultation exercise was carried out between October 2001 and March 2002. The research was commissioned by the National Co-ordinating Centre for NHS Service Delivery and Organisation Research and Development (NCCSDO)

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:10

Quality services for carers

The government will be introducing national standards for carer support services to which all local authority and health authority services will be expected to comply. The Kings Fund was asked to facilitate the drawing up of these standards and, following wide consultation, will submit its proposals this month.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:10

Carers of older people with dementia: assessment and the Carers Act

The Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 came into force on 1 April 1996. It entitles carers who are providing substantial amounts of care on a regular basis to an assessment of their needs and ability to care. Local authorities are required to take the results of this assessment into account when making decisions about services. This paper reports the key findings of a two-year study, conducted in Wales, that evaluated the process and outcomes of assessments carried out under the auspices of the Carers Act.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:10