The Medical Research Council
Cognitive Function and Ageing Study

(MRC CFAS)

The Resource Implications Study (RIS), a substudy of the cognitive function and ageing study (CFAS), followed up a subgroup of the original study population.

The participants in this study had been classified as either physically disabled, cognitively impaired or both.

Of 1127 of these subjects living at home –

• 7% reported no informal support
• 15% had paid support only
• 78% nominated a key informal supporter.

Key supporters were spouses (38%), daughter (30%), sons (9%), daughter-in-law (4%), other relatives (11%) and friends and neighbours (8%).

Of 317 living in institutions 55% received a main visitor at least once a week.

This study highlights the key role of spouses and daughters in informal support.(1)

A second study interviewed 650 of the nominated informal supporters. 43% of these supporters reported financial costs and 45% reported lost social opportunities. The vast majority reported at least on social cost (92%) and identified one positive aspect of care giving 95%. (2)

1. The Resource implications study group of the MRC cognitive function and ageing study (1998). Mental and physical frailty in older people: The costs and benefits of informal care. Ageing and Society 18, 317-354
2. The Resource implications study group of the MRC Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (1999). Informal care giving for frail older people at home and in long term care institutions: Who are the key supporters? Health and Social care in the Community 7(6);434-444

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