Researchers from RCSI are calling on family carers to volunteer to take part in a research study which aims to address the absence of the carer's voice in health research.

The study has been announced to coincide with National Carers Week. The research findings will provide information to healthcare planners and policy-makers in order to better understand carers' perspectives on caregiving and the process of entry to nursing homes in Ireland.

Family carers are fundamental to community care in Ireland and provide substantial support to loved ones, often providing significant levels of care in quite challenging circumstances. As the population is aging in Ireland, the role of family carers in supporting older populations will become even more important. Yet carers are often invisible in the analysis of the health system and on factors influencing older population's use of health services, particularly nursing homes. This new study on caregiving in Ireland and entry of loved ones to nursing homes, being carried out by the RCSI research group, aims to address this deficit.

Nora-Ann Donnelly, Department of Psychology, RCSI who is coordinating the research project said: "If you are a family carer of older person and you and your family are in the process of applying for or accessing long-term care for a loved one, the research group would really like to hear from you. The study provides you with an opportunity to have your voice heard. Sharing your perspective and experiences will provide invaluable information in helping to understand caregiving in Ireland and the key factors in admissions to long-term care."

The study will involve a face to face interview with the carers at a time and place that is convenient for them and will take no more than one hour. All the information provided will be kept confidential and anonymised so it cannot be linked to the participants in any way.

National Carers Week which is taking place this week (8-14 June) and involves many events throughout Ireland to celebrate the immense contribution of family carers.

The RCSI research group includes Nora-Ann Donnelly, Dr Frank Doyle and Prof Anne Hickey, Department of Psychology, RCSI; Dr Niamh Humphries, Department of Epidemology, RCSI; and Dr Alan Moore, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Beaumont Hospital. The study is funded by the Health Research Board in Ireland.