Home-based assessment for family carers: a preventative strategy to identify and meet service needs.
OBJECTIVE
To identify unmet need for services among family carers and their frail or disabled relatives and to facilitate links to services.


METHODS
Intervention study with a subgroup of carer dyads from a random statewide survey of family carers, followed by telephone 2 months post intervention.


METHODS
Carer dyads in general community; urban and rural Victoria.


METHODS
All 186 identified carers were approached. One-third of the dyads were ineligible; of the remainder, 67 (53%) participated, matching refusals on sociodemographic characteristics. Carers were typically married, middle-aged women looking after parents or spouses. Almost half of the care recipients were aged > or = 80; most had multiple disorders and impairments. Follow-up rate was 94%.


METHODS
One off, multidisciplinary home-based assessment of dyad by research team and regional aged care assessment service (ACAT).


METHODS
"Unmet need': % dyads recommended new services; number services per dyad via ACAT; increases in service range; extension of pre-existing services. Service linkage: % dyads linked to new services; perceived usefulness of linkages.


RESULTS
Dyads recommended a new service (93%); increased range (73%); extensions (41%). Average two services requiring ACAT implementation; commonly respite care, aids and paramedical services. Recommendations related to impairment severity and carer stress. ACAT implemented recommendations (90% relevant dyads); links rated useful (75% relevant dyads). Three-quarters of the carers rated intervention as helpful.


CONCLUSIONS
A preventative programme of needs assessment for carer dyads has considerable potential; (a) identifying needs and engaging new services; (b) providing emotional support.
Nankervis
J
J
University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Australia.
Schofield
H
H
Herrman
H
H
Bloch
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012144:Respite Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology