Carers of older relatives in long term care: support needs and services

Carers of relatives in long-term care are beginning to be recognised as a distinct group facing specific challenges and having particular needs. Despite the fact that many struggle to adjust to the admission of their relative to a home and experience high levels of emotional stress, former carers receive mixed levels of support from care homes and carers organisations. Evidence suggests that they need support in the following key areas: learning to live again, health and finances, care home issues, caring role and relationship, and information. Whilst examples of good practice exist these are not shared and there is limited policy focus on former carers either nationally or locally. Current emphasis on care home standards and caring in later life may offer an opportunity to develop a service strategy to address the needs of this under-researched and ‘invisible’ group of carers.