Exploration of the economic and quality of life impact on carers of individuals undergoing community rehabilitation

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Author(s)
Comans, Tracy A
Sealey, Cindy J
Mervin, Merehau C
Barker, Ruth N
Year published
2016
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Background/Aims:
For people with neurological conditions, informal carers form an important part of the rehabilitation journey. The aim of the current study was to assess the economic and quality of life outcomes for someone caring for a person undertaking a community rehabilitation programme.
Methods:
A prospective study was conducted of a community rehabilitation service with baseline and 3-month follow-up data. Participants in this study were carers of people undergoing rehabilitation. Data was collected on time spent caring and on employment status using a questionnaire. Quality of life was measured using the carer ...
View more >Background/Aims: For people with neurological conditions, informal carers form an important part of the rehabilitation journey. The aim of the current study was to assess the economic and quality of life outcomes for someone caring for a person undertaking a community rehabilitation programme. Methods: A prospective study was conducted of a community rehabilitation service with baseline and 3-month follow-up data. Participants in this study were carers of people undergoing rehabilitation. Data was collected on time spent caring and on employment status using a questionnaire. Quality of life was measured using the carer experience scale. Results: Carers spend an average of 28 hours per week in caring activities and this was similar after rehabilitation was complete. Replacement by a paid worker would cost over A$650 a week. Quality of life of the carer did not significantly change after rehabilitation was completed. Thirty-seven percent of carers have ceased work because of their caring duties. Conclusions: Three months may be too short to measure the impact of rehabilitation on carers. Carers represent a substantial economic resource and carers are at increased risk of poverty because of their caring duties. Integrating carers into the rehabilitation process may help improve outcomes for carers as well as for clients of community rehabilitation services.
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View more >Background/Aims: For people with neurological conditions, informal carers form an important part of the rehabilitation journey. The aim of the current study was to assess the economic and quality of life outcomes for someone caring for a person undertaking a community rehabilitation programme. Methods: A prospective study was conducted of a community rehabilitation service with baseline and 3-month follow-up data. Participants in this study were carers of people undergoing rehabilitation. Data was collected on time spent caring and on employment status using a questionnaire. Quality of life was measured using the carer experience scale. Results: Carers spend an average of 28 hours per week in caring activities and this was similar after rehabilitation was complete. Replacement by a paid worker would cost over A$650 a week. Quality of life of the carer did not significantly change after rehabilitation was completed. Thirty-seven percent of carers have ceased work because of their caring duties. Conclusions: Three months may be too short to measure the impact of rehabilitation on carers. Carers represent a substantial economic resource and carers are at increased risk of poverty because of their caring duties. Integrating carers into the rehabilitation process may help improve outcomes for carers as well as for clients of community rehabilitation services.
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Journal Title
International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation
Volume
23
Issue
10
Copyright Statement
© 2016 MA Healthcare. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Clinical sciences
Clinical sciences not elsewhere classified