Carers Within the Chronic Disease Setting...South Eastern Sydney Local Health District • 77,767 in...
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Carers Within the Chronic Disease Setting SESLHD Carer Program and Connecting Care Project
Transcript of Carers Within the Chronic Disease Setting...South Eastern Sydney Local Health District • 77,767 in...
Carers Within the Chronic
Disease Setting
SESLHD Carer Program and
Connecting Care Project
The Carer Program in SESLHD
“Think patient- think carer”
Role of Program
To improve access and support for Carers:
• Services; referrals
• Implementation of Carer Policy and Legislation - Carers (Recognition) Act and NSW Carers Charter, NSW Carer Strategy 2014-19
• Linking carers with local NGO services
To increase Carers inclusion:
• Consultation and discharge planning
• Care plans
Advocacy for Carers:
• Representation in policy and planning
• Carer Education
• Access to Carers NSW, Carer services
South Eastern Sydney Local
Health District
• 77,767 in SESLHD
(2011 census)
• Estimated 12%
staff have caring
role.
• To identify hidden Carers within SESLHD
• To promote health & well being of these Carers
• To identify gaps in service; Carer demographics
• To obtain Carer feedback for service improvement
Identifying Carers Needs within the
Chronic Disease Setting Project
Main objectives:
Correlation of gender and relationship
Identifying Carers Needs within the
Chronic Disease Setting Project
Quantitative findings:
Cultural Awareness
• According to the 2011
Census, SESLHD has
26% of its residents
born in a non English
speaking country.
• 6% identified
Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders
LAST SAW GP?
12 months
=6%
6-12 months= 4%
3-6 months = 10%
Within 3 months= 34%
Within fortnight= 46%
Access
Contacts
86% of carers have NO contact with other carers
Only 2% were members of Carers NSW
Links
60% of carers have NO access to the internet
66% of carers have NO links with local NGOs and local services
Health literacy
16% had trouble understanding what the Dr/Nurse/Health Professional said
16% have a problem with reading
Gaps Analysed
58% carers prioritise the care recipient's health above their own health- Why?
40% said they don't have the time to look after their own health
Only 14% said they receive respite
12% care for more than 1 person
4% said cost was a factor
48% had never applied for the NSW
Carer Allowance
Current Issues/Contributing Factors to Carers Health Trajectory:
56% of carers were over the age of 65, 26% were
between 46-65 years
42% had a medical condition that affected their caring role (18%
cardiac related)
28% had no one else to replace their caring role
24% self identified feeling
anxiety/depression
14% get 4 hours or less sleep at a time, 26% get
4-6 hrs/night on average.
72% lived with the person they care for
40% cared full time or 24/7 and 24% cared for more than 30hrs/week
16% have been caring for over 12 years, 14%
for 8-12 yrs,
Only 18% received counselling (8% self –
referred)
Qualitative information
• Positive aspects of the caring role
Keeping them at home Fulfilling family duty Providing Comfort
“Because I don’t want him in a home”
“He is my dad, he would do it for me”
“The ability to ensure that my wife of 60 years is
having the most comfortable life I can provide”
Qualitative information
• Suggestions from carers for the team
Provide Information Provide Follow up
“I don’t know what to ask for because I don’t
know what is available” ”
“X is very good, caring and keeps following
up on people”
Qualitative information
• Most positive aspect of the service
Information Reassurance Caring Attitudes
“very personable, good to follow up and provided lots
of information”
“made it personal and felt like my dad was looked after
and included me in what was going on”
“XXX is exceptional. Very nice, caring and thoughtful”.
“Clinic has been wonderful, so gentle with him and
caring”
• The project provided Carers with an avenue for frank
conversation away from the care recipient and at a time that
suited the carer.
• Provided valuable insight into the poor wellbeing of these Chronic
Disease Carers within our LHD (as evidenced in previous
national studies i.e. Carer Wellbeing Index, Prof. Cummins. 2007)
• Enabled ‘hidden’ Carers the option of making connections and
links to support within the hospital and to local services.
Identifying Carers Needs within the
Chronic Care Setting Project
Analysis:
Key issues identified…
1. Longevity of the Carer role
2. Lack of understanding of the role of the health
professionals and Health services
3. Lack of support and inadequate links to local
services
4. Misconceptions about the role of Carers Support
Groups
5. Health risks to the Carer- Shared lifestyles
Recommendations...
Phase 2....
1. Staff training
2. Carer identification and
health assessment
3. Access to information
4. Carer specific
responsibilities in the
team
REFERRAL PATHWAY
Carer Identified by Access and Referral Centre from Connecting Care
Client List
LETTER SENT TO CLIENT
• Carer Pack and introduction letter about project mailed to carer
• Referral to local services or to other service
• Referral for health screening
TELEPHONE INTERVIEW AND
QUESTIONNAIRE BY MARIE
HEALTH SCREENING FOR CARERS BY REGISTERED NURSE
