Services to Support Caregivers of Older Adults

Abstract

In 1988, the U.S. Administration on Aging reported that for the first time in history, couples had more parents than children to care for. In addition, the report indicated that women would spend 18 years caring for aging parents, as compared to 17 years caring for children. By the year 2040, the older population is expected to more than double, and the number of people age 85 and older will triple, and one half of them are likely to require assistance with one or more activities of daily living. The unprecedented growth of older persons, and in particular the projected increase in the 85-and-older population to 8.5 million by 2030, make it urgent for the nation to aggressively plan and develop caregiving resources. This chapter discusses the background and prevalence of family caregivers, the definition and profile of family caregivers, the legal authority for services to family caregivers, social work roles and practices with family caregivers, support services available to family caregivers, and the next generation of family caregiver resources.

Misperceptions of Medicaid Ineligibility Persist among African American Caregivers of Alzheimer's Dementia Care Recipients

“…They also may help the Medicaid Assistance Programs, in particular the HCBS-Waiver Programs, develop more culturally relevant, targeted outreach strategies to increase the participation rate of African American caregivers in their programs. 5,10 The financial assistance and support services that these programs provide can significantly reduce the burden, role strain, and stress that these caregivers experience. 13 Without the resources, their financial burden and physical and emotional stress are likely to increase, 1 which can result in their inability to care for loved ones at home in spite of their willingness and cultural values.…”

“…5,9 But Medicaid participation can significantly reduce the burden, stress, and strain often associated with caregiving by serving as an important vehicle for increasing formal service use for African American Alzheimer's dementia patients. 10 However, if their participation rates in Medicaid Assistance Programs are to increase, more culturally relevant, targeted outreach and educational strategies are needed for both care recipients and their caregivers, who are more likely to submit the application for Medicaid on their behalf. 5,10 Qualifying for 1 or more of the Medicaid programs is essential for African American Alzheimer's patients because their caregivers, when compared to their white counterparts, have been shown to have fewer financial resources with which to provide care.…”

“…10 However, if their participation rates in Medicaid Assistance Programs are to increase, more culturally relevant, targeted outreach and educational strategies are needed for both care recipients and their caregivers, who are more likely to submit the application for Medicaid on their behalf. 5,10 Qualifying for 1 or more of the Medicaid programs is essential for African American Alzheimer's patients because their caregivers, when compared to their white counterparts, have been shown to have fewer financial resources with which to provide care. 9,11,12 Because African American caregivers of the elderly are more likely to be younger and still engaged in the workforce, 9,12 the use of adult day services, which have been shown to reduce caregiver burden, role strain, and stress, would provide much-needed support.…”

The Effect of Psychosocial Stressors on the Mental Health Status of African American Caregivers of the Elderly

“…In general, African American caregivers of the elderly tend to provide more hours of care (approximately 21 hours per week) as well as the highest intensity level of care associated with both activities of daily living (ADL) such as bathing, feeding, dressing, and toileting, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) such as grocery shopping, laundry, transportation, financial management, and other household chores (NAC & AARP, 2004). These caregivers are also more likely to experience financial hardships because of the limited economic resources that are available to both caregivers and the care recipients (Crewe & Chipungu, 2006;FCA, 2005). Finally, African American caregivers consistently report higher levels of unmet need that are directly attributable to dwindling social support networks and limited access to formal social programs and services (Coogle, 2004;Hong, Edwards, & Morrow-Howell, 2004).…”

“…Whether they live with caregivers, in their own homes, or in nursing facilities, if elderly African Americans had sufficient financial resources, they would pay for the services they need, thereby reducing the mental stress and burden some informal caregivers experience (Crewe & Chipungu, 2006). For example, a caregiver with a family of her own would not be burdened with having to attend to her parents' personal needs such as preparing their meals every day if they had the financial means to pay someone to do so.…”