Free Health Dissertations - These Implications Do Not Stop With The Care-receiver As The Differences
These implications do not stop with the care-receiver as the differences between informal and formal caring may be even more prominent for the carer, but mainly in informal situations. As mentioned previously, the majority of informal carers in the UK are also in employment and this could mean a number of things. Stress levels are likely to increase due to the added pressures of caring duties and employment. This dual role of worker-carer will also mean a loss of time for the carer to look after themselves and their own families and between increased stress and tiredness informal carers are believed to often experience a worsening of their own health, or problems with their sleeping patterns. The experience of the caring itself and what it involves, and in cases where there is a worsening of the care-receivers condition can cause emotional turmoil in many people. There are also a number of practical hurdles informal carers can experience such as the health and safety issues of caring for someone in the home - those in caring professions will often experience higher levels of back problems as a result of lifting without proper equipment, for example.
The above points therefore highlight the distinct differences between informal and formal carers, predominantly focusing on the paid aspect of formal work compared to informal work, and the nature of the relationship - being one of caring for ones family versus a client-agency relationship. As to whether this distinction is important, the evidence documented shows this is extremely significant as the range of implications includes positive and negative financial, health and psychosocial consequences for both carer and care-receiver, in both formal and informal situations.
References
Journals:
Cohen, M. Weinrobe, M & Miller, J (2000) Informal caregivers of disabled elders with long-term care insurance US Department of Health and Human Sciences
Keating, N. Douziech, L. Fast, J. Dosman, D & Eales, J (1998) Partners in caring: Services provided by formal and informal caregivers to seniors in residential continuing care. EPICC Partners in Caring Technical Report
Leontaridi, R & Bell, D () Informal Care of the Elderly in Scotland and the UK Health and Community Care Research Findings 8
Lyons, K & Zarit, S (1999) Formal and Informal support: The great divide International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 14
River-Navarrot, J. Morales-Gonzalezt, J & Benitto-leon, J (2003) Informal caregiving in multiple sclerosis patients Disability & Rehabilitation 25, 18
Stone, R (1991) Familial Obligations: Issues for the 1990’s Generations 15, 3
Websites:
http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/welfare/oag/oag-c00a.html
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
http://www.longtermcarelink.net/about_caregiving.
Dissertations - Free Health Dissertations
