Titre du document / Document title

The role of home carers : Findings from a study of alcohol and older people

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

HERRING R. ⁽¹⁾ ; THOM B. ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ The Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, 200 Seagrave Road, London SW6 1RQ, ROYAUME-UNI

Résumé / Abstract

The main aim of this study was to assess the current and potential role of home carers in the identification and response to problems associated with alcohol use and misuse in older people. The study was carried out in three local authority areas in London. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used, but this article will mainly draw on the qualitative data. The research showed that home carers reported an increasing caseload of clients with dementia and confusional states, which are problems that often mask alcohol misuse. Home carers tended to view alcohol use as either 'alcoholic' (and therefore a problem) or nonproblematic, and relied on overt signs (e.g. self-neglect, aggressive behaviour) to identify alcohol misuse. The key factors mentioned by carers as associated with alcohol misuse were loss (of relationships, status, health), loneliness and isolation, and depression. When alcohol misuse was identified, the concern was to 'contain' the client rather than address the alcohol problem or its underlying causes. The findings suggest that home carers are well placed both to identify and to respond to problematic alcohol use by clients, but they face a number of 'barriers' to developing this aspect of their work, such as the lack of clear practice guidelines, the lack of training and inadequate support structures. Suggestions are made concerning how alcohol issues could be incorporated into current practice guidelines and training.

Revue / Journal Title

Health care in later life    ISSN  1358-7390 

Source / Source

1998, vol. 3, n^o3, pp. 199-211 (32 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Arnold, London, ROYAUME-UNI  (1996-1998) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Elderly

;

Alcoholic beverage

;

Caregiver

;

At home

;

Diagnosis

;

Alcoholism

;

Formation

;

Social perception

;

Abuse

;

Human

;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Vieillard

;

Boisson alcoolisée

;

Aidant

;

A domicile

;

Diagnostic

;

Alcoolisme

;

Formation

;

Perception sociale

;

Abus

;

Homme

;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Anciano

;

Bebida alcohólica

;

Ayudante a domicilio

;

A domicilio

;

Diagnóstico

;

Alcoholismo

;

Formación

;

Percepción social

;

Hombre

;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 26455, 35400007040554.0040