Publication of ‘Domiciliary Care Module- Continuous Household Survey 2008/09’

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has today published the ‘Domiciliary Care Module - Continuous Household Survey 2008/09’

Key Facts and Figures:

Of the 4,009 respondents to the survey, 532 (13%) stated that they had difficulty carrying out one or more of the activities shown. Of those respondents who reported having difficulty, 51% had difficulty with 2 or less of the activities. Just over half of those with difficulties (56%) were over 65 years old. 61% of respondents reported difficulty with getting up and down stairs / steps, 61% doing housework and 55% doing the household shopping. 76% of respondents said that they have a friend(s), relative(s) or neighbour(s) helping them carry out one or more of the activities. 15% of respondents indicated that a home help / care worker had visited their home in the last year. Of those receiving home care, over four fifths (83%) said that some or all of their care was provided by social services. Of those who had at one time received home care but do not currently, the most popular reason for stopping was that the respondent felt that they no longer required home care (22%). Almost nine in ten respondents (87%) rated the care they received from their home help/ care worker as very good (44%) or good (43%) 12% of respondents had heard of direct payments. Of those, 32% were using this method to pay for their care.

Notes to Editors:

1. This information was collected via the Continuous Household Survey (CHS) 2008/09.

2. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) commissioned a module of questions in the CHS on domiciliary care with a view to collecting information on people who said they needed help with certain everyday activities. They were then asked whether they received help with these activities from a friend(s), relative(s) or neighbour(s) or from a home help/ care worker. This survey was also used to find out the views of any current home care service users about the service they receive and their own particular circumstances.

3. This publication is available online.

4. Further information is available from:

Community Information Branch

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Room 11, Annexe 2,
Castle Buildings,
Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SP

Tel: (028) 90 522804

Fax: (028) 90 523288

E-mail:

Internet:

5. Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0579. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.