Research from TILDA underscores need for stronger supports for family carers
Posted on 05 Decemeber 2025
Research from TILDA was highlighted at the Family Carers Ireland Research Conference 2025, with Dr Christine McGarrigle presenting new evidence on the experiences of family carers in later life.
The conference, titled Partnership from Research to Practice, brought together researchers, policymakers, practitioners and carers to explore how research can inform better supports and services. Dr McGarrigle presented on the prevalence and impact of family caring in later life, and the need for stronger policy supports for carers across the life course
Her presentation drew on TILDA’s nationally representative data to highlight the central role played by family carers in supporting older adults, as well as the challenges carers face in maintaining their own health and wellbeing. The findings underscore the importance of recognising carers within health and social care planning and ensuring appropriate supports are available.
Research focused on resilience and caregiving
Dr McGarrigle is a Senior Research Fellow at TILDA and leads the study’s social epidemiology research programme. Her work explores resilience, intergenerational transfers, and the social factors influencing successful ageing, with a particular focus on the health and wellbeing of caregivers.
She is currently Principal Investigator on a study examining resilience among middle-aged and older carers, funded by Family Carers Ireland and the Health Research Board. The project aims to better understand how carers cope with the demands of caregiving and what supports can help sustain their wellbeing.
In addition, Dr McGarrigle is leading and contributing to several international projects funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), including a recent R01 award for a three-year study investigating psychosocial resilience among spousal caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Informing policy and practice
As Ireland’s population ages, the role of family carers continues to grow. Research presented at the conference highlighted the scale of caring in later life and the need for coordinated, evidence-based policies to support carers’ health, financial security and social participation.
TILDA’s longitudinal data provide a unique national evidence base to inform these discussions, helping to ensure that policies and services for carers are grounded in robust, population-level research.