A survey of carers in the North West Health District of New South Wales

Abstract

A questionnaire survey was posted to twenty six carers of palliative care patients in the home in the North West Health District of New South Wales with the help of community nurses. Results confirmed that carers were most commonly older wives giving help to family members, especially husbands, with support from community nurses and general practitioners. Differences between this survey and others were found in those co-residing with the patient, the employment status of the carers, night help, help from the family and hospital admissions. This study reports for the first time the prior formal nursing training of carers, the carers use of medication and the cost of home care.