Key result
The proportion of older adults requiring unpaid care increased from 29% pre-fracture to 59% at the time of hip fracture, with caregiving networks expanding to include wider family and friends over the subsequent 4 years.
Cohort (n=246)
The need for unpaid caregiving significantly increases following a hip fracture and remains elevated over time, highlighting the need for interventions to support unpaid carers.
Hip fracture is associated with increased and sustained unpaid care needs; extends understanding of evolving carer networks but leaves open intervention effects.
PURPOSE: To determine the provision and its change over time in unpaid care for people following hip fracture. METHODS: Data were sought from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) cohort. We identified participants who self-reported experiencing a hip fracture, who had clinical and caregiving data in the previous and subsequent two data collection waves. Demographic and clinical data were collected in addition to data on provision of unpaid care, who provided care and the frequency of needs being met. RESULTS: The analysed cohort consisted of 246 participants [150 females (61%), mean age 78.9 years (standard deviation: 8.6)]. There was an increase in the number of participants requiring unpaid care between the Pre-Fracture and Fracture Wave (29% vs. 59%), which plateaued in the subsequent two waves (56%; 51%). Although both spouse and daughters provided the most unpaid care to participants over this study period, there was an increase in support provided during the Fracture Wave by both sons and daughters. This increased support offered by spouses continued until Post-Fracture Wave 2 when this plateaued. Support provided by friends increased from 3 to 8% and brothers and sisters increased from 0 and 1% Pre-Fracture to 8% by Post-Fracture Wave 2. CONCLUSION: These findings provide insights into who, what and how unpaid carers support people following hip fracture over time. Given the level of support unpaid carers offer, and previously reported carer stress and burden, undertaking clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of carer-patient support interventions would be valuable.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Smith et al. (2023) conducted a cohort in Hip fracture (n=246). Hip fracture vs. Pre-fracture status was evaluated on Requirement for unpaid care. The proportion of older adults requiring unpaid care increased from 29% pre-fracture to 59% at the time of hip fracture, with caregiving networks expanding to include wider family and friends over the subsequent 4 years.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: