Bridging the Family Care Gap

Bridging the Family Care Gap explores and identifies potential solutions to prepare communities for the future shortage of family caregivers. The book examines the sustainability and availability of various care management models and whether they can be scaled up to reach the sheer number of older adults with chronic conditions. It identifies newly emerging policy initiatives at local, state and federal levels, and appraises the policy recommendations from the National Academies of Science study on family caregiving for older adults in the US and its potential influence on policy.

In addition, the book addresses novel topics such as the "aging in place" movement, the diversification of the long-term care workforce, and the evolution of age-friendly and dementia-friendly communities. Finally, it explores the incorporation of lay healthcare workers as guides, interpreters and advocates in healthcare systems to help family caregivers when they manage the care of relatives.

Details threats to family caregiving-sociodemographic, chronic disease, and socioeconomic challengesPresents solutions to the caregiving gap in a systematic, synthesized mannerAddresses the intersection of family caregiving and technologyDiscusses chronic disease management to offset and reduce the need for family caregivingDescribes models of caregiver support in work settingsReimagines the delivery of long-term services and supports with novel initiatives