Family Caregiving in an Aging Society

"Despite more than two decades of research on the process of caring for older family members, relatively few researchers have grappled with interface of informal and formal caregiving systems in an effort to shape future caregiving policy. . . . This book joins Zarit, Pearlin, and Schaies's. . . as one of a limited number of volumes that are to be applauded for undertaking this endeavor." --Clinical Gerontologist "Care of the elderly is influenced by a complex of factors--medical conditions, mental health, terminal illness, large and small cadres of family caregivers, and the type of living situation available or required. The purpose of this book is to examine family caregiving policy for the elderly--both planned and by default--and to explore the elements of an optimal long-term care policy. The contributors describe and evaluate many services, including respite care, publicly funded home care, individual and group therapy, and educational interventions; they also analyze the structure of the overall system." --Journal of Social Work Education "A major strength of this book is that certain chapters confront fundamental issues in caregiving that are oftentimes unexplored. Examples include thought-provoking questions about what makes respite care valuable; the role of informal supports in obtaining formal services; and legal ethical issues in caregiving. A second strength of this book is that breadth of coverage that familiarizes the reader with the difficulty and complexity inherent in caregiving. . . . This book may be especially helpful to new case workers or other community service workers who are just beginning to work with caregiving families." --Clinical Gerontologist Despite substantial efforts to design and implement support programs for family caregivers, no coherent philosophy has emerged. What are the elements of an optimal long-term care policy? Surveying past and present strategies, Family Caregiving in an Aging Society considers the ramifications of U.S. caregiving policy--whether developed by planning or default. The contributors describe and evaluate many of the services currently available including respite care, individual and group therapy, and educational interventions; they also analyze the overall structure of the system, from the specific guidelines used for the planning and allocation of formal care to the inconsistencies embedded in these policies. Offering a thorough assessment of both the theoretical and pragmatic issues that inform caregiving policy, this indispensable work will be appreciated by professionals and students of aging, social work, nursing, and psychology.Kane, Rosalie A. is the author of 'Family Caregiving in an Aging Society', published 1995 under ISBN 9780803951471 and ISBN 0803951477.