Priority 4 from the Multiple Conditions in Later Life PSP

UNCERTAINTY: In what ways can carers of older people with multiple conditions be supported to maintain their own physical and psychological wellbeing? (JLA PSP Priority 4)
Overall ranking 4
JLA question ID 0064/4
Explanatory note There were a lot of submissions from health professionals, carers and older people that were synthesised into this question. This question concerns the need to provide physical and emotional support to carers of older people in order for them to be able to maintain their own wellbeing. Carers frequently talked of the difficulty of looking after older people, how all-consuming it can become. They discussed feeling as though they were having to give up their own lives. Health professionals focused on how best to prevent carer burnout or recognise and intervene when burnout was progressing. Older people talked of not wanting to be a burden to the people looking after them.
Evidence

None identified that applied directly to all conditions in the over 85s
Health Research Classification System category Generic Health Relevance
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples

'How can we identify and prioritise the needs of carers, especially when they have multiple needs of their own?' Health professional 'I think it is very easy to forget about the effect that looking after an older person with health problems can have on carers. This in turn can eventually impact on the effectiveness of the care being given.' Carer

Submitted by All forms of respondent including patients, carers, health and social care professionals
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0064
PSP name Multiple Conditions in Later Life
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP. 97 (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 24 April 2018