Mogan, C, Davies, N, Harrison-Dening, K and Lloyd-Williams, M (2024) Experiences of family carers supporting older people within the last year of life in rural and remote areas in the UK. Age and Ageing, 53 (8). ISSN 0002-0729

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Abstract

Background: In the UK, a large proportion of older adults live in rural/remote locations. More people are dying at home and require care from their families. Little is known about the experiences of family carers of older people in rural/remote areas in the last year of life. Aim: To explore the experiences of current and bereaved family carers who support/ed an older person in a rural area in the UK towards the end-of-life. Design: Qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis methods. Method: Interviews were conducted with family carers of rural/remote-dwelling older people in the last year of life. Participants were recruited through national support services, third sector organisations and social media. Results: Interviews were conducted with 20 family carers. Most were female (n = 17) and aged 52–80 years. Family carers experienced difficulties in accessing health and social care in rural/remote areas due to workforce and skills shortages within their regions. The wider community helped with practical tasks and made carers feel less alone. Community-based services, such as day care, helped to provide respite for carers and promoted meaningful activity and social inclusion for older people. Although internet access was problematic, family carers gained support remotely via social media and telehealth services. Conclusion: Family carers of older people in the last year of life in rural/remote areas value support from the wider community. Further work is required to understand how Public Health approaches to palliative care and workforce distribution can support rural/remote carers and older people.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	rural healthcare; end-of-life; family carers; palliative care; qualitative research; older people; Humans; Terminal Care; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Middle Aged; Caregivers; Rural Population; Rural Health Services; Female; Male; Interviews as Topic; United Kingdom; end-of-life; family carers; older people; palliative care; qualitative research; rural healthcare; Caregivers; Rural Population; United Kingdom; Terminal Care; Interviews as Topic; Humans; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Rural Health Services; Rural Health; Behavioral and Social Science; Health Disparities; 7.1 Individual care needs; 7.2 End of life care; 8.1 Organisation and delivery of services; Generic health relevance; 3 Good Health and Well Being; Caregivers; Rural Population; United Kingdom; Terminal Care; Interviews as Topic; Humans; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Rural Health Services; 1103 Clinical Sciences; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 1701 Psychology; Geriatrics
Subjects:	R Medicine > RT Nursing
Divisions:	Nursing and Advanced Practice
Publisher:	Oxford University Press (OUP)
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	05 Dec 2024 16:39
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2024 16:45
DOI or ID number:	10.1093/ageing/afae169
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/25049

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