Abstract
Aims and MethodTo assess whether postal questionnaires, used as a local initiative, were useful in identifying carer depression allowing early support for community-dwelling carers of older adults with mental health needs. the Geriatric Depression Scale and a questionnaire collecting information on the carer's circumstances were sent to carers of consecutive patients routinely referred to a community mental health team for older adults in south London. Rates of carer depression between postal questionnaire responders and non-responders were compared.ResultsThe response rate to the postal questionnaires (33%) was similar to that observed in other postal studies; 42% of responders had depression compared with only 4.6% of non-responders.Clinical ImplicationsPre-contact postal questionnaires may present a simple method of enhancing early detection of carer depression for minimal economic outlay.
Highlights
The response rate to the postal questionnaires (33%) was similar to that observed in other postal studies; 42% of responders had depression compared with only 4.6% of nonresponders
Pre-contact postal questionnaires may present a simple method of enhancing early detection of carer depression for minimal economic outlay
High rates of psychiatric morbidity have been observed in carers of people with mental health problems
Summary
To assess whether postal questionnaires, used as a local initiative, were useful in identifying carer depression allowing early support for community-dwelling carers of older adults with mental health needs.The Geriatric Depression Scale and a questionnaire collecting information on the carer’s circumstances were sent to carers of consecutive patients routinely referred to a community mental health team for older adults in south London. Rates of carer depression between postal questionnaire responders and non-responders were compared
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