The hardest thing we have ever done - Palliative Care Australia

Table 5: Effects of caring on the mental health of carers *
Details of changes/ problems
Caring has directly affected mental
& emotional health
Sad/depressed
Worried/anxious
More emotional/easily upset/irritable
Frustrated/bored
Exhausted
Stressed
Reasons for effects on mental health
attributed to caring
Stress of caring
Social isolation/loneliness
Changes in family/other relationships
Sense of grief/loss
Loss of paid work
Difficulties or delays with
treatments due to caring
Number
965
240 (n=856)
227 (n=856)
141 (n=856)
118 (n=856)
109 (n=856)
101 (n=856)
459 (n=894)
301 (n=894)
227 (n=894)
219 (n=894)
124 (n=894)
439
Percent
67% (of those 85%
affected to the worse)
28%
27%
17%
14%
13%
12%
52%
34%
25%
25%
14%
30%
(32% doctors’ visits,
30% operation)
*most common responses.
Totals do not add up to 100% due to multiple responses.
n=1449 unless specified in the table.
Table 6: Effect of caring on life opportunities *
Details of changes/ problems
Major/dramatic effect on carers’
lives and choices
No or fewer holidays/weekends away
No or less travel/visits
No or reduced social life
No or less community involvement
Limited time for personal relationships
No or less time for hobbies and pastimes
Number
845
488 (n=1076)
325 (n=1076)
168 (n=1076)
137 (n=1076)
119 (n=1076)
276 (n=1076)
Percent
58
45
30
16
13
11
26
Source: Information compiled from Carers Association Survey (Briggs & Fisher, 2000).
*most common responses.
Totals do not add up to 100% due to multiple responses.
n=1449 unless specified in the table.
THE HARDEST THING WE HAVE EVER DONE: The Social Impact of Caring for Terminally Ill People in Australia, 2004
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