Carewell Project
UCD in partnership with Family Carers Ireland, are undertaking a four year research project, CAREWELL, to examine how family carers can be best supported to balance work with care. The outputs of this research, expected in 2024, will further support UCD to evolve this framework.
“Family carers are the principal source of care for those in need of support due to a long-term illness, disability or frailty in the community; it is estimated that this group saves the Irish economy about €20 billion through their unpaid duties.”
With an ageing population, the demand for care is predicted to soon exceed supply. Consequently, the act of balancing work with care is gaining traction as an important health, social and economic issue.
A supportive work environment may be the remedy to some of the negative impacts often associated with caregiving, such as poor physical and psychological health, financial strain, and in extreme cases, withdrawal from the workforce. Provision needs to be made for carers in the workplace to facilitate enhanced outcomes in the spheres of their physical health, mental health, employment and work-life balance as a whole.
UCD CAREWELL: (opens in a new window)https://carewellproject.com