4th December 2008

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Donna Fulton, Claire Mulrone, Science Shop Administrator and Anne-Marie McGranaghan

Improved support networks for carers in Northern Ireland are vital if we are to prevent more elderly people being admitted to permanent residential care, according to new University of Ulster research.

Final-year psychology student Anne-Marie McGranaghan, based at the Magee campus, carried out the research as part of a Science Shop project, in partnership with Age Concern, to assess the psychological impact of placing a relative affected by dementia into residential care. 

The study scooped the top prize of £650 at the annual Science Shop Awards, which recognise the best community-based action research projects of the year, held at Ulster’s Belfast campus today.

Findings showed a profound lack of sufficient support networks available to carers, resulting in elderly relatives being admitted to residential care homes not through choice but through lack of knowledge about alternative options. 

“Identifying areas of support which care-givers require will enable the development of suitable interventions. It will, however, be the responsibility of researchers and practitioners to ensure that policymakers consider such information,” says Anne-Marie.

"Providing health professionals with information about carers’ lack of emotional and financial support will allow them to gain an understanding as to why certain care-givers find they need to relinquish their roles.  

"This has major implications for the health service in the area of dementia care as it depends highly on the services provided by informal carers. It is apparent that there are carers who, if provided with adequate support, would not relinquish their role to the healthcare professional. It would, therefore, be economically beneficial to provide interventions which would allow carers to continue in their role.”

The research found that although many carers do recognise some support is available, they are required to voice their need for it otherwise it is not received.  

"It is clear that the NHS does not recognise the importance of informal care-givers and the difficulties they face,” says Linda Robinson from Age Concern.

"Age Concern acknowledges that this under-valued resource is crucial in ensuring older vulnerable people receive the care they deserve in the community or in a residential care setting.” 

Anne-Marie received her award at a special prize giving ceremony hosted by Professor Denise McAllister, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning.

Donna Fulton, also a final-year psychology student at Magee, was awarded second prize of £350 for her research into domestic violence, in partnership with Foyle Women’s Aid.  

The ceremony also marked the opening of an exhibition of work to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Science Shop at Ulster.

The Science Shop is a community outreach initiative that provides community and voluntary groups across Northern Ireland with access to students, who will help with the completion of community based projects. 

Claire Mulrone, Science Shop Administrator, said: “These students have been recognised for their valuable contribution to their respective community partners, Age Concern and Foyle Women’s Aid. This is an endorsement of the value of Science Shop activities at the University of Ulster to the voluntary and community sector right across Northern Ireland.”

The Science Shop 20th Anniversary Celebratory Exhibition is at the Belfast campus December 5 – 12. Everyone is welcome.

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter