A study of 10 states since passage of the National Family Caregiver Support Program: policies, perceptions, and program development

Authors:
FEINBERG Lynn Friss, NEWMAN Sandra L.
Journal article citation:
Gerontologist, 44(6), December 2004, pp.760-769.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Describes the preliminary experiences of 10 US states in providing support services to family or informal caregivers of elderly adults and adults with disabilities, focusing on the newly created National Family Caregiver Support Program, state general funds, Medicaid-waiver programs, and other state-funding streams. Case studies were conducted in March-July 2002 through in-person interviews with state officials and stakeholders in Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. States were in the start-up phase of implementing the Program and varied greatly in programme design and integration of caregiver support into their home- and community-based care system. Viewing family caregivers as a client population was a paradigm shift for many state officials. Heavy reliance is currently placed on family and informal caregivers in home- and community-based care, without adequate support services. Family support should be an explicit goal of long-term-care system reform.

Subject terms:
home care, older people, physical disabilities, carers, community care;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
United States
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
0016-9013
ISSN print:
0016-9013

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