Using the COPE assessment tool with informal carers of people with dementia in New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the validity of the COPE index (CI) carer assessment tool within a study exploring perceptions of carer support, health, and wellbeing. To assess the utility and acceptability of the CI with health practitioners and informal carers of people with dementia, following the European COPE protocol.


METHODS
Research interviews (one pre- and two post-CI assessment) recorded demographic characteristics of carer (n = 45) and care recipient, formal (service) and informal support use and satisfaction, self-reported health, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), Burden Interview, Caregiver Competence, and Personal Gain. COPE Index assessment was undertaken by referring health practitioners (n = 12).


RESULTS
Construct validity of the CI compared positively with findings reported in the literature. Psychological morbidity in carers (33%) was often undiagnosed; 19% of carers presented a more positive perception of their health to the health practitioner than to the researcher; diagnosis of care recipients was not always clear to carers (25%). COPE Index assessment improved both communication and understanding of carers' needs and was evaluated positively by most carers and health practitioners.


CONCLUSIONS
The COPE Index is an easily administered and generally acceptable tool that may be useful for initiating more comprehensive assessment of dementia carers' needs.
Roud
Helen
H
Health Care of the Older Person, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Otago, Christchurch.
Keeling
Sally
S
Sainsbury
Richard
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires