Open AccessThe health and wellbeing of informal caregivers: a review and study program
Author(s) -
Herrman Helen,
Singh Bruce,
Schofield Hilary,
Eastwood Robin,
Burgess Philip,
Lewis Virginia,
Scotton Richard
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
australian journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1035-7319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.1993.tb00146.x
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , gerontology , health promotion , promotion (chess) , mental health , family caregivers , medicine , nursing , population , psychiatry , public health , environmental health , political science , politics , law
Informal caregivers are the families and other unpaid caregivers in the home who support people of all ages with severe and chronic mental or physical disabilities. Home care of this sort has been increasing over the past 30 years because of the reduced number of beds in hospitals and nursing homes and increased outpatient and community care. Moreover, with an aging population and increasing rates of disability, the demand for family caregiving will continue to rise. This has important implications for the development of health, community service and social policy. At the same time, however, very little is known about the impact such changes are having on the caregivers of various ages and in various circumstances. The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation is funding a research and intervention program in Melbourne to promote wellbeing and prevent ill‐health in caregivers.