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- Title
The Use of Support Systems by Informal Caregivers: An Australian Experience.
- Authors
Vecchio, Nerina
- Abstract
Based on data collected from the Australian Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carer's in 2 003, this study investigated the factors that influenced the assistance received by primary care givers of non-institutionalized individuals aged 15 years and over with either profound or severe disabilities. An understanding of care givers and their use of support systems will assist policy makers in implementing strategies that ensure the viability of the community care programs by meeting the demands within the health sector as demographics change over time. This study found that the majority of primary care givers (61%) did not receive any main source of assistance. Results from the multinomial regression revealed that care givers less likely to receive any main source of assistance included those who were spouses of recipients, younger in age, did not participate in the labor force and resided in remote regions of Australia. Individuals caring for older aged recipients or recipients that possessed a severe rather than profound disability were also less likely to receive any main source of assistance. Care givers of recipients with either a physical or mental main disabling condition tended to seek informal and formal assistance, respectively. It is interesting to note that, after controlling for other variables, the gender of the care giver did not impact on the type of assistance received.
- Subjects
PRIMARY care; CAREGIVER attitudes; CARE of people with disabilities; AGE factors in disabilities; SOCIAL support
- Publication
Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2008, Vol 14, Issue 3, p27
- ISSN
1448-7527
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1071/PY08033