Proactive primary care of carers of people with cognitive impairment: a feasibility study

Horner, Barbara PhD Med BAppSc RN AFCHSE FRCNA
Jiwa, Moyez MA MD MRCGP FRACGP
Cuesta-Briand, Beatriz PhD MPH BLaw
Fyfe, Katrina BSc(Nursing) RN MN
Osborne, Ashlee DipAppSc BHSc PostGradDipHSc

Associate Professor, Ageing & Dementia, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Australia
Professor, Health Innovation, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Australia
Research Associate
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Ageing & Dementia, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Australia

FUNDING

This research was funded by the Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development (PHCRED) program at Curtin University.

ETHICAL APPROVAL

Ethical approval was granted by Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (HR 60/2011).

PEER REVIEW

Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None.

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE

Barbara Horner, Director, Centre for Research on Ageing, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. Email: [email protected]

Received 17 July 2012

Accepted 23 October 2012

Quality in Primary Care 20(6):p 415-420, 2012.

Background

Over 250 000 Australians live with dementia, and it is estimated that this number will more than double by 2030. Many people with dementia or cognitive impairment are cared for at home by family carers who may themselves be frail older adults or who may suffer from chronic conditions. There is evidence that caring has adverse impacts on carers; however, many do not seek or delay seeking appropriate health care.

Aim

To explore the feasibility of a protocol to identify the unmet healthcare needs of carers of people with cognitive impairment.

Method

This feasibility study used a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected through a set of three wellbeing questionnaires, and interviews with carers and one general practitioner. Carers were recruited through government-funded adult day care centres in Perth, Western Australia. General practitioners were nominated by the carers. The sample included 15 carers and one general practitioner.

Results

Carer participants in this study experienced varying degrees of care burden. Insomnia, fatigue and pain were the most prominent symptoms. Their overall health status was lower than that of the general population, with physical functioning and bodily pain obtaining the lowest scores. Carers found the protocol useful and the questionnaires easy to complete; they reported specific outcomes resulting from the implementation of the protocol aimed at addressing their healthcare needs.

Conclusion

The study results demonstrate the feasibility of adopting a protocol to identify and address carers’ unmet healthcare issues, and warrant further research. In the context of an ageing population, the growing number of carers of people with cognitive impairment and dementia need to receive adequate support to enable them to continue to provide care.