Men more likely to become carers of arthritis sufferers
As Australia’s population ages, the number of people with arthritis and osteoporosis is projected to rise and the ageing of the primary carers is likely to become a major issue, according to a new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report, Primary carers of people with arthritis and osteoporosis.
Dr Naila Rahman of the AIHW’s National Centre for Monitoring Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions said the report showed that in 2003, about 50,000 Australians received help from primary carers because of a severe or profound disability caused by arthritis or osteoporosis.
Over 40% of these carers were 65 years or older and 70% had physical problems of their own. Having to provide care can make these problems worse.
“We found that often the carers themselves needed assistance with daily activities, such as self-care, housework, and transport and mobility,” Dr Rahman said.
“They also have unmet needs for respite care.”
“Primary carers for people with arthritis and osteoporosis often see their caring role as a mark of their relationship with that person and many reduce work hours or leave employment to meet their caring responsibilities,” she said.
“In general, women assume the role of a primary carer more often than men. However this pattern is reversed among carers of people with arthritis, with men making up about 55% of primary carers.
“One reason for this reversal is that osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both more common in women than in men, particularly among older age groups,” Dr Rahman said.
