Caregivers

A directory of evidence-based dementia support programs for informal caregivers is now available online, released in partnership between Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging and Family Caregiving Alliance (FCA). People who provide care for friends or family members with dementia can use the directory to identify programs that: Are available in person, online, or over the phone; Reduce caregiver stress and improve well-being; Increase confidence in caregiving Community-based organizations that serve informal caregivers may also find the directory helpful for conducting side-by-side comparisons of programs and or determining which evidence-based support program to adopt.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has recently released resources to guide individuals in understanding mental health benefits and their rights. One such publication, "Understanding Your Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits," provides information on accessing mental health services covered by job-based health plans. Additionally, for parents, family members, or other caregivers for someone in need of or using mental health or substance use disorder benefits, "Understanding Parity: A Guide to Resources for Families and Caregivers," provides information and tools necessary to secure behavioral health services for their loved ones.

In recognition of the unparalleled dedication and commitment of the 53 million caregivers in America, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) recently released the “Disaster Preparedness Guide for Caregivers.” This guide aims to help family caregivers learn about disaster preparedness and identify the needs of care recipients, including how needs might change during a disaster. It also provides tailored information and resources that cater to the unique situations caregivers may face. This resource discusses effective strategies for connecting with communities and seeks to bolster caregivers' confidence, particularly in navigating challenges during a disaster.

AARP recently released a report titled “Respite Services: A Critical Support for Family Caregivers,” exploring respite, its impact on family caregivers, and barriers to its use. In this report, AARP reviews federal and state programs that provide and/or pay for respite, including some examples of innovative programs that currently exist in communities. AARP also provides recommendations toward improvements in respite research and offers insights into how some respite programs are being scaled up.

This blog post from the Better Care Playbook discusses Medicare Advantage (MA) plans that support family caregivers, specifically hightlighing UCare in Minnesota and UPMC Health Plan in Pennsylvania. The blog post explains the importance of supporting caregivers and explores the considerations around offering caregiver support as a supplemental benefit.

This data profile compares caregivers who used NFCSP services such as education or respite care to those caregivers who did not use these services, including caregivers who exclusively used AAA services. The profile also examines caregiver characteristics including age, relationship to care recipient, and level of caregiving intensity.

This report highlights innovative approaches in supporting family caregivers. The report features programs in Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Washington.

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans, but most falls can be prevented. This resource highlights fall risk factors and ways that caregivers can work with loved ones to develop a falls prevention action plan.

This report looks at the role of millennials as family caregivers. As their older family members age, millennials have taken on more responsibilities, and about one in four family caregivers is now a millennial. Millennial caregivers have unique experiences and face specific challenges which affect the type of support they need. This paper provides insight on these unique experiences.

This paper discusses the challenges facing family caregivers and opportunities to help and support family caregivers.