Carers Support Groups: Meeting the Needs of Carers and Staff

Abstract
This article describes a carers support group within a psychogeriatric day hospital and presents the results of a study. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the groups in meeting the needs of the carers, examine the opinions of the staff and the carers, and determine whether running the groups had any positive effect on staff morale. Results showed that most carers found the groups beneficial but that they did not perceive the staff to be as effective as the staff believed themselves to be; that relief to carers appeared to be more effectively provided by the attendance of their relative at the day hospital rather than at the carers support groups; and that the groups had a positive effect on staff morale by providing an opportunity for the staff to work together, feel more part of a multidisciplinary team and develop relationships within it. Possible changes that could increase the effectiveness of the groups are identified.