Understanding carer burden
People who are carers of elderly people are needed for a study of the impact of caregiving on carer health and wellbeing.
Above: University of Queensland PhD candidate, Claire Greaves
A PhD candidate from the University of Queensland wants to hear from carers of elderly people across Australia for a study on the impact of caregiving on carers’ health and wellbeing.
Claire Greaves, a PhD candidate in the school of psychology at the University of Queensland, is conducting research into how caring for frail older people or older people with a mental disability, impacts on carers’ ability to manage their job roles at work and home, and how this can affect their health and wellbeing.
She says caregiving can have both negative and positive impacts on the carer’s life but more research is needed to understand how we can better support them in their roles.
“My research aims to better understand the impact of caregiving so that we can facilitate better support initiatives to assist caregivers with their responsibilities,” said Ms Greaves.
She said the time investment for carers who agree to participate in the study was minimal.
“We need carers to participate in two online questionnaires, taking approximately 20 minutes each, over a 6 month period. The first questionnaire will take place around June-July 2012 and then again between November 2012 and January 2013,” said Ms Greaves.
“We are also requesting, but not requiring, study participants to provide an email contact for a supervisor or colleague who can provide information about their behaviour at work at both time points.
“This will take the form of a short, 10 minute online survey which will be both anonymous and confidential,” Ms Greaves said.
If you provide care to an elderly person who requires assistance with their daily living and you would like to find out more or register your interest in participating in the study, please follow the link: https://experiment.psy.uq.edu.au/eldercare/ or you can check out the study’s facebook page and connect directly with the team and other carers: http://www.facebook.com/nationaleldercare
In accordance with University and research policy, all participants will be ensured confidentiality at all stages of the study.
Hi Claire
I am the service manager of Centacre-Enoggera Respite at 320 South Pine Rd Enoggera Q.4051 (07) 3354 0999, I would like to invite you to our carers group here at the centre -Tuesday 21/8 is the next meeting starting at 1pm, there are held monthly
it would be lovely if you could attend and have a chat about this project