Does Giving Carers a Break Improve their Wellbeing? Results from an Evaluation using the EQ-5D-5L

Informal carers are widely acknowledged to be an important part of health care provision, as well as a source of substantial cost savings to the health care system. It has been observed, however, that carers have worse health-related quality of life (HRQL) than the general population. As a result of this, the wellbeing of carers has been set as a government priority. In Bristol, UK, the National Health Service and council jointly funded a 12-week scheme to facilitate breaks from caring. It provided direct payments and aid to allow carers to take a break from caring (with or without the person cared for). Here we investigate the effects of the scheme on carers’ HRQL. In order to conduct the evaluation, a quality of life survey was conducted. Carers were asked to complete questionnaires at Week 0 and Week 12. One of the questionnaires selected for inclusion in both surveys was the EQ-5D (5 level). Of the 155 patients completing the Week 0 survey, 97 completed at least some of the Week 12 survey. There was some evidence to suggest a small improvement in HRQL via the EQ-5D-5L (0.62 to 0.66, n=86). Both pre- and post-intervention the estimated mean utility of the cohort was significantly lower than 0.81; the value that would be predicted in the general population given the age and gender characteristics of the cohort. Informal carers have significantly lower HRQL than age-matched controls. While it is not possible to draw firm Conclusions around the benefit derived from the intervention, due to the lack of control arm, the evaluation of a carer breaks service indicates a potentially modest benefit.