Jacobs, Stephen

Aim To establish the effectiveness of a restorative home support service on institutional-free survival in frail older people referred for needs assessment. Method A randomised controlled trial of Community Flexible Integrated Responsive Support Team versus usual care in 113 older people at risk of institutionalisation in New Zealand. Primary outcome was death or permanent institutional care evaluated in a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for baseline prognostic variables.

The aims of this study were to: (a) identify New Zealand informal carers' support needs; (b) assess caregivers' depression; and (c) assess positive and negative aspects of caregiving. A sample of 287 carers from throughout New Zealand was recruited by advertisements in carer support organizations literature, in 2008. Data were collected using Centre for Epidemiologic Short Depression scale (CES-D10), Caregivers Reaction Assessment scale (CRA), and open-ended questions. Carer burden was significant (p ≤ .01) in the 60 to 69 age group.