Family carers are a vital source of emotional and practical support for people who are living with a life-limiting or terminal condition. Yet carers face many challenges of their own.
On this page you'll find resources about the needs of carers, and how to support them.
Research suggests that alongside the rewards and pride of caring for a loved one, many carers epxerience considerable stress:
- Caring can have a negative impact on health and wellbeing [1]
- 70% of carers will hide their suffering [2]
- Carers are often isolated [3]
- They can miss out on significant employment opportunities in life [4]
- They can face financial hardship. [5]
Assessment and support
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Because they experience a range of challenges, carers can find it difficult or impossible to get the help they need. All assessment and support for carers needs to be comprehensive and person-centred, focusing on the needs of each individual.
Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention
The Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention (CSNAT-I) helps to systematically and holistically assess the needs of those who are caring for adults with chronic and progressive conditions (including cancer). It is facilitated by practitioners, but led by carers.
CSNAT-I is evidence-based. The research underpinning the intervention was informed by carers and practitioners.
It was developed by the CSNAT-I team, led by Professor Gunn Grande (University of Manchester), Dr Gail Ewing (University of Cambridge) and Professor Morag Farquhar (University of East Anglia).
Prof Gunn Grande, Dr Gail Ewing and the CSNAT-I team investigated the structures and procedures that need to be in place in order to effectively identify, assess and support carers during end of life care.
The Current State of Caring for Family Carers in UK Hospices: Findings from the Hospice UK Organisational Survey of Carer Assessment and Support.
2019
This report summarises the provision for carer assessment and support across the hospice sector in the UK. It makes recommendations about how hospices can improve assessment and support for carers.
Supporting family carers: report on the evidence of how to work with and support family carers to inform the work of the Commission into the Future of Hospice Care
2013
This report draws together knowledge about how best to work with, and for, family carers of those facing the end of life. It provides recommendations that address important gaps in service provision.
Useful links
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The content and views expressed by the following organisations do not represent the views of Hospice UK.
