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The article focuses on a strategy meant for providing support for carers across Northern Ireland. The strategy quotes census figures indicating that there are more than 185,000 unpaid carers in Northern Ireland, equating to about 11 percent of the population. Carers need some help and support to enable them to continue in their caring role. The strategy include the identification of those acting in a caring role, information for carers, support services, the special needs of young carers and training and employment.

Alan Simpson explains how nurses can learn to support carers of people with mental health problems. 2 refs. [Introduction]

Economic evaluations of health interventions aim to support decision making in healthcare. To effectively do so, evaluations need to include all relevant costs and effects of an intervention. Informal care provided by family or friends is an important element of care for many patients, but can have a profound impact on the health and well-being of carers. Therefore, informal care should be considered in economic evaluations of health interventions. Different methods to do so exist.

Mary Ann Kelly was prompted to use family trees to help people with dementia after reading a continuing professional development article. Nursing Standard. 15, 17,47-53

In the first of two articles about developing dementia services in India, Diana Kerr presents an overview of the country and describes two specific projects.

After reading a continuing professional development article on dementia, Susan Briggs reflected on how she deals with clients' relatives. I read this article with interest and subsequently undertook my own research, which I used to reflect on a recent experience. The following is a short excerpt from my reflection.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

My wife, Pauline, died from Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 59. She was 51 when diagnosed after several years of problems. I cared for her at home. For the first 3 years, I maintained my employment, albeit on an increasingly part-time basis, but resigned from work and cared for her full-time for 5 years when her needs demanded round-the-clock attention. She remained in her own home to within 5 weeks of her death, when fracturing my leg put paid to my direct caring role.

Looks at what user consultation and empowerment mean to service users and carers themselves.

Penny Hibberd introduces an innovative idea for involving carers in higher education, and carers Caryn and Ted Bird explain how they have benefited from the approach