Summary statement
Why is this research or review needed?
• The results can help to improve support for care partners through better understanding and knowledge of their needs.
• To date, care partners ' needs have predominantly been studied in relation to the perspectives of the care partners of somatically ill people or care partners of people with dementia.
• Although the care partners of older people with mental health problems provide comprehensive care to their relatives, often over a number of years, little is known about their experiences and needs.
What are the key findings?
• The findings revealed that care partners lack basic knowledge about legal rights, and they get limited or no information from home care services.
• The care partners of older people with mental health problems request little help and support and they silently accept a large share of the responsibility for their relatives.
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How should the findings be used to influence policy/practice/research/education?
• A correlation is necessary between what is communicated at the system level and the means of realizing this in practice for home care to meet care partners ' needs.
• Person-centred principles should underpin approaches to care from the system level to the actual meeting between care partners and staff in home care.
• Further research should explore the needs of the care partners of older people with mental health problems from the perspective of staff in home care