Polio - The Late Effects Reality

Domestic Arrangements

The table below reflects the domestic arrangements of respondents. The figure for living alone, whilst over a quarter of respondents (27%), seems to be broadly in line with national trends (22%, CSO Census 2002).

Table 29 – Living Arrangements

Living arrangements	Total %
With spouse/partner – child/children	34
Living alone	26
With spouse/partner - no children	24
With sibling(s)	5
With child/children only	4
With one parent	2
With friend(s)	2
With other family	1
In full-time residential	1
Not stated	1

When respondents were queried as to whether they had a primary carer, a surprising 137 (61%) replied in the negative. Whether that is because they do not need one or because they see the carer role as being an integral part of domestic life is not clear. The remainder defined their primary carer as shown in Table 30 below (which is also shown by age grouping of the primary carer). Only 15 primary carers do not live with the person they care for.

Table 30 – Relationship with Primary Carer by Carer Age Category

Relationship with primary carer	Carer’s Age 21 – 40 No’s	Carer’s Age 41 – 60 No’s	Carer’s Age Over 60 No’s
Husband/wife/partner	3	28	28
Mother/father	0	0	2
Son/daughter	1	1	0
Other relative	0	3	5
Neighbour/friend	2	3	1
Employer/employee	0	1	0
Not stated	3	0	1
Other	1	0	0

As can be seen, the majority of carers are in the higher age range which, in turn, will create problems as, through the ageing process, in time they will not be able to deliver the quantity of care required. Indeed, it is found that carers themselves are more susceptible to ill health, i.e. stroke, stress, due to the very process to which they are devoted, namely caring for a loved one (The Alzheimer Society of Ireland).

A recent report for The Princess Royal Trust for Carers (October 2003) in the United Kingdom found that "Around two thirds of carers who provide for more than 50 hours per week say their health has been affected". It goes on to say that "40% of carers themselves have some form of illness or disability" and that the current value of support given by carers is around the same level as the total UK spending on health - £57 billion in 2001-2002.

The amount of care needed varies from one individual to another but respondents reported the following was required each week:

Table 31a – Carer Hours per week

Hours per week provided by carer	Total
1 to 5 hours	13
6 to 10 hours	8
11 to 20 hours	13
21 to 30 hours	18
31 to 40 hours	2
41+ hours	28

It is further apparent, from Table 31a, that, as in the UK, the carers of those with LEP are making an enormous, yet hidden, contribution toward the State coffers. For example, if an average carer rate of € 10 per hour is assumed (Midland Health Board, July 2003), and care is required for, say, 22 hours per week (the mean average of the table above), then that contribution amounts to some € 11,400 per year per carer. Over the whole of the sample, this comes to a figure of some € 950,000 per annum.

If one assumes that the trend of carers is carried across the lower end of national pool of those with LEP, i.e. 3000, this increases to a staggering € 12.65m of hidden contribution to the State coffers.

Furthermore, this care is not one-off but continuous and is needed at both regular and irregular intervals, according to the particular requirements of those with LEP.

This can best be demonstrated from the responses regarding frequency of demand that were given:

Table 31b – Frequency of Care Demand

Hours per week provided by carer	Once during the day No’s	Occasionally during the day No’s	Frequently during the day No’s	Twenty-four hours per day No’s	Total No’s
1 to 5 hours	3	7	0	0	10
6 to 10 hours	3	3	0	0	6
11 to 20 hours	0	4	8	0	12
21 to 30 hours	1	7	10	0	18
31 to 40 hours	0	1	1	0	2
41 + hours	0	1	10	18	29

The ranges of duties that the carers encompass are many and varied, but can be best defined as falling into the following categories:

Table 32 – Range of Carer Duties

Type of care provided	Total No’s
Domestic, social and personal	37
Domestic only	22
Domestic and social	20
Domestic and personal	5
Personal care only	2

As can be seen from Table 32, the most frequent type of care provided encompasses the whole life of the respondent with LEP, from the most intimate necessities of life through to those that encompass the social aspects. In one form or another, 37 (43%) deal with domestic, social or personal care. Without this care, many of the respondents would be unable to lead a life in the community in general and, perhaps, would be forced into institutions. This would involve the State in possible Subvention payments under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990.