Independent living blog post, 30 May 2017: How do you manage caring at a distance?
Families no longer tend to follow the traditional pattern of living and dying in the same area, generation after generation. We are much more mobile now, and as a consequence may well find ourselves trying to support and care for a family member at a distance.
The University of Hull has launched a new research project called Providing Support and Care at a Distance
Family carers are collectively estimated to save the UK economy £132 billion per year (according to figures from Carers UK in 2015) and have been the subject of much research and policy development.
The majority of existing research about carers concerns those who support someone who lives with or near to them.
However, as we become increasingly mobile, many parents, adult children, siblings, other relatives and friends may find themselves living at a distance from those they care for and about.
A new research project at the University of Hull is working to find out more about the experiences of those who provide help, care and support to a relative or friend who lives at a distance from them (meaning that they have to travel for one hour or more to visit them).
Caring at a distance has many diverse aspects
The researchers would like to hear from people aged over 18 across the UK who provide help, support and care for relatives and friends who have long term health conditions, mental health needs, dementia, physical or learning disabilities, or are ageing.
They believe that people are providing important help and support when their relative or friend lives at a distance, and whether they live in their own homes, residential and nursing homes or NHS settings.
If you provide help, support or care to another adult (age 18 or over) who lives at a distance from you, you can take part in this research.
How to help with this investigation
There are two ways you can do this.
You can complete the confidential online questionnaire (the link will open in a new browser window).
If you prefer to fill it out on paper, please contact Caroline White (c.white@hull.ac.uk or 01482 463830).
The survey is open until 22 October 2017.
The questionnaire will ask about your experiences of providing care and support from a distance, including difficulties and challenges, as well as positive experiences and things that help.
You can provide as much or as little information as you wish – the researchers estimate that it will take around 30 minutes to complete, but that will obviously vary depending on the amount of detail you include.
They will use the findings to write a report to be shared with agencies and organisations (such as carers’ support organisations), to increase awareness of the experiences of people caring at a distance.
If you would like more information please contact Caroline White (see above) or follow them on Twitter @dist_care.
