Characteristics and Health Service Use of a Longitudinal Cohort of Carers Aged over 45 in Central and Eastern Sydney, Australia
Published Date: 14.9.2023
Theme: Service systems
Sub-theme: Health care services
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This publication / resource is hosted on a publicly available external link. If the full text is not publicly accessible, summary points are included and a contact method for the author(s) is provided, where available.
The summary information presented is based on content submitted by an author or other user, along with publicly available information about the publication / resource added by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team.
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Theme: Service systems
Sub-theme: Health care services
Verification Statement
This publication / resource is hosted on a publicly available external link. If the full text is not publicly accessible, summary points are included and a contact method for the author(s) is provided, where available.
The summary information presented is based on content submitted by an author or other user, along with publicly available information about the publication / resource added by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team.
All content is reviewed, edited and approved by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team, in line with our Submission Guidelines.
To report an issue or request a change, please complete our Feedback Form.
Characteristics and Health Service Use of a Longitudinal Cohort of Carers Aged over 45 in Central and Eastern Sydney, Australia
Published Date: 14.9.2023
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Author/ Authors
Ben Harris-Roxas,
Alamgir Kabir,
Rachael Kearns,
Gurdive Webster,
Lisa Woodland,
Margo Barr
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Suggested citation (APA 7th edition)
Harris-Roxas, B., Kabir, A., Kearns, R., Webster, G., Woodland, L., & Barr, M. (2023). Characteristics and Health Service Use of a Longitudinal Cohort of Carers Aged over 45 in Central and Eastern Sydney, Australia. Health & Social Care in the Community, 2023, e5032583. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5032583
Long Summary
This research was undertaken to understand the health of carers in Central and Eastern Sydney, Australia (CES), who are 45 years of age or over. A record linkage study using data from the 45 and Up Study, Medicare Benefit Scheme claims, hospitalisations, and deaths was undertaken on participants in CES (n = 29,489). Characteristics of carers were described and outcomes over an eight-year period were also calculated. Around 12% of the cohort was carers at a given time, though most transitioned in and out of caring roles over a five-year period. Compared with non-carers, carers in CES had higher rates of self-reported smoking, anxiety, psychological distress, heart disease, and self-rated poor quality of life. Carers had higher rates of general practitioner use than non-carers (Adj. HR (95% CI): 1.21 (1.13, 1.30)). However, hospital admissions and mortality were not significantly different. This study confirms that a small proportion of carers remain in carer roles for many years. Caring often starts suddenly, and people need to quickly adapt to their new role. The finding that carers are well-engaged with GPs suggests they may play an important role in identifying carers who are struggling, and delivering interventions for carers.
Author's / Publisher's Contact Details:
http://unsw.to/ben_hr
Key Messages for Carers
- (1) Caring roles often start suddenly. (2) Carers are likely to be identified as "carers" for the first time by GPs, and on average carers seem to be well engaged with their GPs. (3) Carers often transition in and out of being carers, and need support through these transitions.
Key Messages for Policy Makers
- This paper adds: (i) Carers were more likely to smoke, need help with daily activities, experience fair or poor quality of life, anxiety, and psychological distress than non-carers; (ii) Carers had significantly higher rates of general practitioner use than non-carers; (iii) There was not a significant difference in mortality rates amongst carers over an eight-year period compared with non-carers.
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