English

This paper describes the participation of informal caregivers in the discharge process when patients aged 80 and over who were admitted from home to different hospitals in Norway were discharged to long-term community care. Data for this cross-sectional survey were collected through telephone interviews with a consecutive sample of 262 caregivers recruited between October 2007 and May 2009.

Throughout the 20th century women were more vulnerable to poverty than men which continues into the 21st century. These gender differences are explored in a chapter on gender, poverty and social exclusion in a volume giving the results of the millennium Poverty and Social Exclusion (PSE) Survey. Social exclusion exists where one or more of the social sub-systems is not functioning adequately - the economic, social and family and community systems.

Traditionally viewed as in opposition to palliative care, newer ideas about ‘health-promoting palliative care’ increasingly infuse the practices and philosophies of healthcare professionals, often invoking ideals of empowerment and participation in care and decision-making. The general tendency is to assume that empowerment, participation, and self-care are universally beneficial for and welcomed by all individuals. But does this assumption hold for everyone, and do we fully understand the implications of health-promoting palliative care for family caregivers in particular?

Researcher Elinor Nicholas describes how support for carers could be improved even where resources are limited.

Estimates suggest there are 5.7 million carers in the UK, carrying out unpaid work valued at a massive 34 billion. The role is undefined and rarely chosen voluntarily. The carers and Disabled Children Act, which came into force in April 2001, gives carer the right to an assessment and local authorities the power to make payments and provide services direct to carers. The carers' Resource is an independent charitable company offering a direct point of contact for carers and professionals seeking information, advice, support, referral, representation and advocacy. 2 refs. [Summary]

AIM:This paper describes a cost analysis of a home-based support service for frail older people and their family carers in two municipalities in West Sweden and using information and communication technology.

BACKGROUND: A key challenge facing nurse managers across Europe is an increasingly aged population, combined with reduced numbers of young adults of working age. New solutions are needed to provide quality, cost-effective community care services to frail older people and their family carers.

The huge role of unpaid family carers is outlined in this essay, together with examples of good practices by NHS organisations to support their needs. The authors point out that with declining NHS resources there will be even more reliance on family carers. 

The aim of the present study was to explore the experiences of recipients and providers of community care in rural areas in Northern Ireland. Additionally, the authors sought to examine the impact of location, housing and environmental factors on the delivery of community care to older people with complex needs. Individual, semistructured interviews were held with service users (n = 17) and family carers (n = 14).

Background: Demographic and socioeconomic changes have increased policy interest in informal carers. However, despite the multicultural nature of British society, most research in this field has been in majority communities. Aim: To explore the role of the primary health care team (PHCT) in supporting carers from British South Asian communities. Design of study: Qualitative study. Setting: Four South Asian communities in Leicestershire and West Yorkshire. Method: Focus groups and in-depth interviews were used to assess male and female carers, supported by a literature review.

Most chronically and terminally ill patients are cared for in their own homes by family and friends, rather than in hospitals or hospices. These carers are an invaluable free resource and there is an increasing amount of research into their role and the experiences of caring for the terminally ill, patients with cancer, and patients with other chronic diseases. This book provides a critique of the theoretical concept of caring, carers, and caregivers. The material is based on empirical evidence from recent studies of adults with acquired chronic illnesses, including terminal illness.