User views

This paper reports on a survey of carer satisfaction with telephone consultations with doctors in a community service for people with intellectual disability (also known as learning disability in the UK health services). A 10-item anonymized carer satisfaction questionnaire was sent out following telephone consultations over a 4 week period with questions about suitability, effectiveness, efficiency and appropriateness of telephone consultations. Out of 13 questionnaires sent, 11 were returned. There was a high level of satisfaction with accessibility, effectiveness and suitability.

Reports on a project in Wolverhampton which reviewed short break (respite care) services for carers and the projects progress so far. The project focused on carers of people in the age range of 18-65, where provision of short breaks was seen to be most in need of development. The project used action research methods and included involvement of a number of carer support groups. Accounts from 50 carers on their short break experiences and aspirations were also collected.

Outlines a research project undertaken in the Dartford and Gravesham area of north west Kent to explore the service-related needs of Asian older people with dementia and their carers. The study was conducted from February 2002 to January 2004, based at a local dementia care charity, and funded by the Mental Health Foundation. Qualitative approaches were used to collect data about existing services and the views and perceptions of key stakeholders including: 7 GPs, 32 health professionals and service managers, 7 carers and 230 members of the local Asian community.

This film focuses on Tim Anfilogoff, the Commissioner for Adult Services at Hertfordshire County Council. Hertfordshire has achieved Beacon status for its work with carers, and this film demonstrates how the council is working with carers, and listening to their experiences and feedback to ensure both the carers and the service users receive the best possible service. It features carer Mari Stevenson who talks about her personal experiences of caring for her daughter who is diabetic and has Down’s Syndrome.

This study examines the experiences of 50 older caregivers to people living with HIV/ AIDS in Lomé, Togo. The authors used a mixed qualitative-quantitative design to identify several challenges faced by the elderly caregivers. They were ill prepared for the caregiving demands and overburdened by enormous financial needs of people with HIV/AIDS, having been unexpectedly thrust into the role. They felt frustration, despair, and isolation because HIV/AIDS has changed the family structures and social expectations.

A short video aimed at health professionals which features a number of professionals, patients and carers, who talk about how a more personalised approach to care can improve outcomes.

The material on this DVD reflects the views of a multi-ethnic group of carers and community members in Wolverhampton who meet regularly to share their experiences and hope for the future. Some issues for discussion are also suggested in the accompanying leaflet, including access to appropriate services, improving communication and better recognition of the role of carers.

Reminiscence therapy has the potential to improve quality of life for people with dementia. In recent years reminiscence groups have extended to include family members, but carers’ experience of attending joint sessions is undocumented. This qualitative study explored the experience of 18 family carers attending ‘Remembering Yesterday Caring Today’ groups. Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.

Background: Much has been written on ethical issues in dementia, but usually from the point of view of the various professionals involved. Whilst there has been an increasing amount of interest in the psychosocial problems that face the carers of people with dementia, the ethical nature of some of these problems has largely been ignored.

Objective: To review the literature on ethical issues in dementia from the perspective of the main, non-professional carers of people with dementia.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that family and professional caregivers have different views about what constitutes elder abuse.

Design: A vignette was given to family and professional carers. They were asked to rate 13 management strategies for behavioural difficulties in a person with dementia on a Likert scale ranging from good idea to abusive. Some of the strategies were abusive according to the Department of Health's ‘No Secrets’ definition.