Health and well-being of sibling carers of adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland: Four waves of data
File Type:
PDFItem Type:
Journal ArticleDate:
2023Access:
openAccessCitation:
Brennan, D., D'eath, M., McCallion, P. & McCarron, M., Health and well-being of sibling carers of adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland: Four waves of data, British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 2023Download Item:
Abstract:
Background: As the life expectancy of people with intellectual disability increases,
they may now outlive their parents or their parents' ability to continue to care.
Siblings of adults with intellectual disability often succeed their parents as primary
carers. Little is known about the health and well‐being of this important cohort of
carers who will be both caring for and ageing alongside their brother or sister with
intellectual disability. The Carer's Study within The Intellectual Disability Supplement
to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS‐TILDA) provides a unique insight into
the health and well‐being of family carers of older adults with intellectual disability
including sibling carers in Ireland. This article reports on the findings from waves 1, 2,
3 and 4 of the IDS‐TILDA Carer's Study.
Methods: The IDS‐TILDA Carer's Study surveys family carers of older people (aged
40 years and older) with intellectual disability on a 3‐yearly cycle. The family carers
complete a self‐administered, mixed‐methods questionnaire. The qualitative data are
analysed thematically, and a descriptive analysis of the quantitative data is
conducted using SPSS.
Findings: In each wave, sibling carers comprised a significant proportion of the
Carer's Study participants: W1 58%; W2: 61.4%; W3: 76.7%; and W4: 45.8%. The
siblings were predominantly female, not in paid employment and were caring
without the support of a spouse or partner. Across the four waves, siblings reported
good general health. However, a high prevalence of particular conditions including
back pain, aching joints and stress was also reported, and in each wave, siblings
reported feeling completely overwhelmed by their care responsibilities. Although
sibling carers reported that they have considered the future, only a minority have
progressed to action in this regard.
Conclusions: There is evidence of the strong relational and emotional commitment
by the siblings to their brother or sister with intellectual disability. However, through
the four waves of data, there was also evidence of physical, mental and financial toll.
An urgent need exists to identify and engage with siblings to protect their well‐being
as they provide care for an increasingly ageing sibling.
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/mccarrmhttp://people.tcd.ie/dbrennan
Author: Mc Carron, Mary; Brennan, Damien
Other Titles:
Intellectual Disabilities: Health and Social Care Across the LifespanPublisher:
Springer NatureType of material:
Journal ArticleSeries/Report no:
British Journal of Learning Disabilities.;Availability:
Full text availableKeywords:
Family, Family support, Health and social care policy and practice, Intellectual disabilitySubject (TCD):
AgeingDOI:
https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12532ISSN:
1354-4187Metadata
Show full item recordLicences: