Hearing family carers: report on research undertaken with family carers in Cork
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Published Version
Date
2010-10
Authors
O'Riordan, Jacqui
Ó hAdhmaill, Féilim
Duggan, Helen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Carers Association Cork
Published Version
Abstract
This report details the findings of research undertaken with family carers in Cork
during 2007 – 2008. The research was undertaken to elicit the views and experiences
of family carers, and in so doing, to gain insight into their perspectives on family
caring and on associated support mechanisms. It is hoped that, thereafter, policy can
draw on these observations. Three key themes emerged from the research itself. These
are (i) the role and position of the family carer in society, (ii) the process of family
caring itself and (iii) access to and knowledge of key support services.
This report, then, draws attention to the extent and dynamics of family caring, as seen
through the opinions and experiences of carers located in and nearby Cork city. It has
the following format. In the first instance we turn our attention to a discussion of
family caring in Ireland, and associated supports more generally. This includes a
discussion on key issues arising in the general discourse around family caring in
Ireland and internationally, in order to provide a context from which to locate the
experiences of carers involved in this research study.
Thereafter, we detail the methodology employed in this research study, which
followed a method of research enquiry that values the input of participants from the
early stages of research focus and design, and which incorporates qualitative and
quantitative methods of enquiry. The research was conceptualised and developed in
conjunction with The Carers Association, Cork in keeping with an approach to social
research that attempts to link academic and activist/advocacy interests. Its aims were
to identify issues that family carers in the locality considered important, with a view
to contributing to local knowledge, providing a forum for ongoing research, and to
informing policy developments on carers.
The focus of the report then turns to profiling carers who participated in the research,
examining the care they provide, and discussing support they receive from family,
friends and neighbours – from informal sources. We then look to the access carers
have to formal and public, community-based support services. We examine their
experiences of, and concerns with regard to some of these key services, and look at
ways that such issues might be addressed. The next section concentrates on financial
supports, a range of which are available to carers, for instance, to supplement income and to assist with home renovations. We look at their uptake and issues arising, again
with a view to understanding and addressing them from the perspectives of the service
users.
Finally, the report turns its attention to aspirations that carers have for themselves; in
terms of their own personal, training, and employment options. The report concludes
by drawing attention to key issues discussed throughout and makes a number of key
recommendations, aimed at addressing the voiced opinions and experiences of carers
that have emerged through the research.
Description
Keywords
Family carers , Support mechanisms , Social research , Policy development , Ireland
Citation
O'Riordan, J; Ó hAdhmaill, F; Duggan, H; (2010) Hearing Family Carers: Report on Research undertaken with Family Carers in Cork. Cork: School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork.
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Copyright
© 2010, the Authors.