Information, Resources, and Assistance in Long-Term Care
Ahead of the Curve: Emerging Trends and Practices in Family Caregiver Support
Research Report
Lynn Friss Feinberg, National Center on Caregiving at the Family Caregiver Alliance
Kari Wolkwitz, MPP, National Center on Caregiving, Family Caregiver Alliance
Cara Goldstein, MSW, National Center on Caregiving, Family Caregiver Alliance
March 2006
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Caregiver programs and supports are located in every state in the nation. Some of these programs and supportive services have been in existence for decades, but most are relatively new or are newly expanded, thanks in part to federal funding from the National Family Caregiver Support Program, enacted in 2000.
This AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper highlights three “cutting edge” trends in supporting family caregivers:
- Assessment of caregivers' own needs in order to tailor care plans and support services to meet those needs
- Consumer direction in family caregiver support services which can be particularly effective in addressing the needs of families in rural areas where fewer formal services may be available
- Collaborations on caregiving between the aging network and health care providers in which family caregivers may be identified in primary care physician offices, rather than waiting for care to seek help or continue to provide care alone, thereby making it possible to reach caregivers before they experience any adverse effects
This paper provides policymakers, program administrators, and advocates with an overview of these emerging trends; describes state approaches and developing practices; and identifies key factors fundamental to successful adoption of these strategies. (55 pages)
Pub ID: 2006-09