Present and past carers' health: some considerations.
We sought to examine the mental and physical health and health-related quality of life of current and past carers compared to non-carers, using two instruments--the Short Form-12 (SF-12) and the EuroQol 5-dimension (EQ-5D). A total of 249 participants (34 current carers, 14 previous carers, 197 non-carers, 4 non-respondents) completed a baseline self-report survey at randomization into the larger study. Previous carers demonstrated moderate to severe anxiety or depressive symptoms measured with the EQ-5D (P < 0.001), reported on the SF-12 that they accomplished less because of emotional problems (P = 0.01) and more likely to have 'felt down' (P = 0.01) and used more health-care services than current or non-carers. Current carers tended towards a higher level of emotional problems and limitations to mobility than non-carers. This study indicates major differences in the well-being of these three cohorts. Health practitioners should pay particular attention to the mental health and health related quality of life of previous carers.
School of Medicine, Logan Campus, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia. p.scuffham@griffith.edu.au
Paul A
PA
Scuffham
Robyn
R
Synnott
Erika
E
Turkstra
Desley
D
Hegney
D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological