LTSS Center researchers are exploring issues facing unpaid caregivers and how best to address those issues.
What are the major concerns of the 43 million people nationwide who serve as unpaid caregivers—and what’s the best way to support those caregivers in their work? The National Academy for State Health Policy contracted with the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston and Community Catalyst to find out.
The research team, headed by LTSS Fellows Pam Nadash and Eileen Tell, analyzed 1,600 responses to a Request for Information, and held 12 consumer-focused listening sessions, to ascertain the types of services and supports family caregivers need and the financial and employment issues they face. The following urgent needs emerged during the investigation:
- Caregiver training and coordination.
- Access to adult day services that allow caregivers to work or tend to other household concerns.
- Direct pay or tax incentives.
- Workplace accommodations.
- Respite care.
- Access to technology to help caregivers monitor their care recipient’s safety.
During the next stage of the project, researchers will develop a plan to operationalize strategies and tactics for meeting caregiver needs.
For more information about the project, read “Raising awareness, enabling support for unpaid caregivers,” published by the UMass Boston Gerontology Institute.
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