Caring for older people: Does day care benefit carers?

This study examined the benefits to carers of a day care facility for older people, using a stress model of care as a framework. Participants were accessed through older people themselves, using convenience sampling. A semi-structured interview was used to obtain demographic details, the extent of assistance provided, and perceived needs of the carer. Carers completed measures of carer burden, psychological distress, perceived social support and coping styles. Although comments on the day centre were generally positive, attendance did not alleviate carer burden or distress, as measured here. Carer burden and support satisfaction were independently related to, and affected, psychological distress. Coping styles and perceived number of social supports were consistently unrelated to burden or distress. Results are discussed in relation to previous literature, and implications for service delivery considered, with particular reference to services for carers.