Carers with chronic conditions: changes over time in their physical health

Tommis, Y.; Robinson, Catherine; Seddon, Diane; Woods, Bob; Perry, Jenny; Russell, Ian

doi:10.1177/1742395309339251

Cited by 20 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Family members shared their experience and information, thus providing support to families in similar situations (Magliano et al, 2005;Ware & Raval, 2007). In addition, support from other family members and friends were received frequently in form of a phone call or a visit (Tommis et al, 2009).…”

Section: Chronic Illness Of a Family Membermentioning

confidence: 99%

Social support needs of families: the context of rheumatoid arthritis

Fallatah¹,

Edge

2015

Applied Nursing Research

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Section: Chronic Illness Of a Family Membermentioning

confidence: 99%

Social support needs of families: the context of rheumatoid arthritis

Fallatah¹,

Edge

2015

Applied Nursing Research

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“…19,20 Other studies have identified poor health behaviours among caregivers. 22 The implications for community nursing suggest a need to encompass health-promoting strategies for caregivers when providing care to people with physical disabilities. 21 UK caregivers reported missing meals or hospital treatment because of their caring responsibilities.…”

Section: Caregiver Characteristics Health Problems and Health Behavimentioning

confidence: 99%

Family caregivers of adults with acquired physical disability:Thai case–control study

Lawang

Horey

Blackford

2013

Int J of Nursing Practice

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This case-control study compares the health of Thai family caregivers of adults with acquired physical disabilities with others without similar responsibilities. To ascertain health perceptions, face-to-face structured interviews using the Short Form (36) were conducted with participants randomly selected from primary care units in eastern Thailand (150 in each group). Despite similar sociodemographic profiles, caregivers reported more health problems and harmful health behaviours. Mean scores for physical and mental health were significantly lower. Factors contributing to poorer health among both caregivers and controls were older age, low educational level, insufficient income and existing health problems. Additional factors for caregivers were gender, spousal or in-law relationship, high dependency, long caregiving time, lack of previous experience and other caregiving responsibilities. This study identifies an urgent need for support to promote caregivers' health to enable them to maintain their vital role.

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“…Higher levels of carer burden are matched by lower self-perceived health status than non-carers and increased prevalence of cognitive impairment [9]. Informal caring can be stressful [3,10,11] and can lead to deterioration in physical and psychological health [12-16]. In the United States, Miller and colleagues have observed that carers “must also cope with their own health problems, typically exacerbated by their caregiving responsibilities” [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time to care? Health of informal older carers and time spent on health related activities: an Australian survey

et al. 2013

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BackgroundLittle is known about the time spent on specific health related activities by older adult informal carers who assist people with chronic illness. Research has not yet addressed the association between carer health status and their care demands. Such information could inform policy and health system efforts to manage chronic illness.MethodsWe conducted an Australia wide survey using recall questionnaires to record time use. The study asked how much time is spent on “most days” for the most common activities like taking medication, self-treatment and testing, and how much time in the last month on less common activities like attending a physician or shopping associated with health needs. The survey was mailed to 5,000 members of National Seniors Australia; 2,500 registrants on the National Diabetes Services Scheme; and 3,100 members of the Australian Lung Foundation. A total of 2519 people responded, including 313 people who identified as informal carers. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Stata 11. Standard errors and confidence intervals were derived using bootstrapping techniques within Stata 11.ResultsMost carers (96.2%) had chronic illness themselves, and those with greater numbers of chronic illnesses were those who faced the greatest overall time demands. The top decile of carers devoted between 8.5 and 10 hours a day to personal and caring health related activities. Informal carers with chronic illness spent more time managing their own health than people with chronic illness who were not informal carers. These carers spent more time on caring for others than on caring for their own health. High levels of caring responsibility were associated with poorer reported carer health.ConclusionsPolicy and health care services will need to adapt to recognise and reduce the time burden on carers who themselves have chronic illness. More carefully targeted investment in the social infrastructure of formal care would free up carers for other activities (including their own care) and holds the potential to improve the quality of life as well as the health outcomes of this population.

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Carers with chronic conditions: changes over time in their physical health

Cited by 20 publications

References 6 publications

Social support needs of families: the context of rheumatoid arthritis

Social support needs of families: the context of rheumatoid arthritis

Family caregivers of adults with acquired physical disability:Thai case–control study

Time to care? Health of informal older carers and time spent on health related activities: an Australian survey

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