Health and Well-being of Family Carers in Ireland: Results of a survey of recipients of the Carer’s Allowance

Executive Summary

Family carers play a vital role in the community, which often goes unrecognised and inadequately supported. This research explores family carers’ health and well-being and the factors that appear to influence them. A random sample of 2,834 family carers in receipt of a state carer payment was sent a self-completion questionnaire. This group of family carers, by virtue of the eligibility criteria for receipt of this state payment, may be considered to be full-time carers with low to moderate income.

It was found in comparison to the general population that those family carers who responded were less likely to report themselves in excellent or very good health. No significant difference was found between the general population and carers in terms of satisfaction with health, but carers did present a considerably less positive picture of quality of life in comparison to the general population. Carers also reported comparatively high levels of depression, back pain and anxiety.

Negative aspects associated with family caring identified in this report included restricted leisure hours and a high risk of being exposed to stress, emotional strain and social isolation. The extent of limitation posed by caring on leisure/recreation appears to be a key factor both in likelihood of health suffering due to caring and in likelihood of low quality of life for carers.