Introduction

This course, Care transactions, explores the mix of paid and unpaid sources of care and support. Arrangements for care and support which people manage for themselves or have organized for them privately or informally tell us something about the shifting borders between funded and non-funded care, between health and social care, and between paid and unpaid care work. They also demonstrate how the reality of the mixed economy of care is played out in the arrangements which people make for care and support in their own households. This course focuses on the care arrangments people make and the kinds of transactions these arrangements involve. In it, you will hear from five people, and those they are involved with, talking about the kinds of care transactions they are engaged in. The audio clips were recorded in 2000. Participants in the audio clips:

• Helen Robinson is the presenter;
• Diane Mallet is a carer;
• Enid Francis is a carer;
• John Avery is a carer;
• Sarah Fletcher is a disabled student;
• Katherine Shipley is Alex Zinger's daughter;
• Alex Zinga is in need of caring;
• Stanley Mallet is in need of caring.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• Understand that people who give and receive help and support depend on a mix of paid and unpaid sources.