Deciphering Caregiver Needs: Unlocking the Path to Better Programs and Policy
Topic Description
About 53 million Americans serve as unpaid family caregivers, providing care to loved ones with chronic illness or disabilities, and who often experience stress related to their role. Strengthening the connection between caregivers and medical and community establishments is essential for improving patient and caregiver outcomes. The included research findings reveal the diverse needs of specific caregiver groups, such as spousal caregivers and those caring for individuals with cancer. Policies like the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act are beginning to address caregiver needs, but more must be done to tailor support to the unique challenges of different caregiver groups.
Learning Objectives
1. Identify shared experiences and perspectives of family caregivers of specific disease populations.
2. Discuss the extant legislative landscape and provision gaps in family caregiver support.
3. Identify potential strategies for supporting family caregivers in your professional work.
Guest Speakers
M. Courtney Hughes, Ph.D., M.S,; Northern Illinois University
Christy Muasher-Kerwin, P.T., D.P.T.; Northern Illinois University
Makenna Green, M.A., CCC-SLP/L; Northern Illinois University
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