APPENDIX 4 - FORMAL PROVIDERS OF ASSISTANCE FOR BROAD AREA OF ACTIVITY


The Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) respondents were asked about their two main formal providers of assistance for the ten broad areas of activity:

• Core activities:
  • Mobility
  • Self-care
  • Communication.

• Non-core activities:
  • Health care
  • Cognitive or emotional tasks
  • Household chores
  • Property maintenance
  • Meal preparation
  • Reading or writing
  • Transport.

Respondents were provided with a pick list of assistance providers, which differed depending on the activity. Some care providers may not have been listed for particular activities as it would not be common for them to provide assistance in relation to those activities. The table below shows which formal providers are available for each broad activity.

If the respondent reported a formal assistance provider, which was not a category on the relevant pick list, it was coded to 'Other formal provider'. Where there was a large number of a certain type of provider listed as 'Other formal provider' for a particular area of activity, these were grouped together and another output category was created.

For example, when a respondent reported that a Nurse was their provider of assistance for Mobility, this was coded as 'Nurse' (which is an available category on the pick list for Mobility). However, if a respondent reported that a Nurse was their provider of assistance for Cognitive or emotional tasks, this was coded as 'Other formal provider', as it was not a category on the pick list for Cognitive or emotional tasks.

As the survey only asked for two providers of care for each broad area of activity if a person received assistance from three or more different formal providers, respondents were asked to nominate only the two who they considered were the main providers.

These collection methods need to be considered when analysing data on formal assistance providers for the ten broad areas of activity. Care should then be taken when analysing all activities in which a type of assistance provider might be involved.

Formal providers of assistance by broad area of activity

	Mobility (excludes walking 200m, stairs and picking up objects)	Self-care	Oral communication	Health care	Cognitive or emotional tasks	Household chores	Property maintenance	Meal preparation	Reading or writing	Private transport
Nurse	4	4	4	4		4	4	4	4	4
Speech therapist			4
Teacher	4		4		4				4
Chiropodist / Podiatrist				4
Physiotherapist				4
Doctor				4	4
Chemist				4	4
Other health worker		4	4	4	4				4
Psychologist					4
Psychiatrist					4
Counsellor					4
Public guardian					4				4
Cleaner						4
Housekeeper						4
Gardener							4
Handyperson							4
Tradesperson							4
Landlord							4
Unit manager							4
Meals on wheels								4
Food retailer								4
Accountant									4
Financial advisor									4
Lawyer									4
Home care worker	4	4		4		4	4	4	4	4
Voluntary worker	4	4		4		4	4		4	4
Teacher's aide / School services officer			4		4				4
Non-profit support services	4	4	4						4	4
Local government	4									4
Other government	4									4
Other formal provider	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4