Stress in informal carers of hospitalised elderly patients

The aim of this study was to assess psychological well-being in carers of elderly hospitalised patients and to identify factors predicting those at risk. There are over six million informal carers in the UK. An objective measure of carers' mental health was obtained using the General Health Questionnaire and a subjective assessment (from the carer's point of view) of how caring affected their own everyday lives was also made. Of the 93 carers interviewed, 42 (45%) showed objective evidence of significant psychiatric disturbance. When questioned about their caring roles, 32% felt their health was affected by caring and 46% their social lives; 63% subjectively reported stress and 47% depression; 15% changed their employment patterns. Patients and carers received few statutory social services: 26% home care, 11% district nursing input, 8% meals on wheels and 5% either day centre or day hospital attendance. Cohabitation made it more likely that the carer's mental health would show some impairment. The informal carers' high stress levels and interference with their daily lives have implications for future care planning for the elderly.