| 27979 |
Creator |
9a5ea199a8ab6bead0b8f6cfadf97b35 |
| 27979 |
Date |
2010-07-06 |
| 27979 |
Is Part Of |
repository |
| 27979 |
abstract |
Informal carers of older people are the mainstay of care policy, yet the actual processes
involved in becoming a carer are unclear. Policy is underpinned by assumptions that
carers’ have the right to choose whether or not to provide care. In reality, choices
available are restricted and earlier literature suggests this is a consequence of
strong notions of duty, obligation to take on a caring role (Twigg and Atkin, 1994).
This paper explores how individuals become informal carers and the extent to which
they are able to exercise choice. The paper draws on a qualitative study of informal
carers of older people. Using a grounded theory methodology data was gathered by means
of in-depth unstructured interviews with 26 primary carers. The research identifies
two pathways into caring, the positive and the default, which are characterised by
either the presence or absence of choice. The choices available to individuals are
determined by the nature of pre-existing relationships, living arrangements and geographical
location. The paper argues that despite changes to policy and practice, carers are
unable to fully exercise informed choice. |
| 27979 |
authorList |
authors |
| 27979 |
presentedAt |
ext-e449f820b3b665eb29efc5ac821a0f58 |
| 27979 |
status |
peerReviewed |
| 27979 |
type |
AcademicArticle |
| 27979 |
type |
Article |
| 27979 |
label |
Cavaye, Joyce (2010). Choice: the missing dimension in becoming a carer. In:
39th Annual British Society of Gerontology Conference: Identities, Care and Everyday
Life, 6-8 Jul 2010, Brunel University, London. |
| 27979 |
label |
Cavaye, Joyce (2010). Choice: the missing dimension in becoming a carer. In: 39th
Annual British Society of Gerontology Conference: Identities, Care and Everyday Life,
6-8 Jul 2010, Brunel University, London. |
| 27979 |
Title |
Choice: the missing dimension in becoming a carer |
| 27979 |
in dataset |
oro |