Over 34 million family caregivers in the United States provide physical, emotional, and financial support for an adult age 50 or older.[1] Caregiving is a physically and emotionally demanding role, which can take a toll on the caregiver’s health and well-being. Support services, such as respite care, counseling, training, support groups, and education, can improve caregivers’ wellbeing and ability to manage their caregiving responsibilities.
Many individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid rely on care from family members or friends because of chronic conditions, disabilities, or frailty. To reinforce the important care family members provide, many plans and providers provide support services. However, some health plans report challenges providing supports that meet the cultural needs and preferences of family caregivers from diverse backgrounds.[2]
Please visit the Caregiver Supports to learn more about older adults and family caregiving and to access related resources. The resources highlighted below focus on culturally competent supports for diverse family caregivers.
This series of spotlights highlights organizations across the country who are providing supports and services for family caregivers tailored to the unique communities they serve. Informed by connections with the community, these programs identify and meet caregiver needs, understanding the many ways that cultural beliefs and values, as well as language, impact the types of services needed.
Spotlight on Alzheimer’s Los Angeles
Spotlight on Volunteers of America Minnesota-Wisconsin
To read more from the caregiver’s perspective, explore the First Person Story, highlighting a caregiver’s experiences with culturally competent supports.
First Person Story: Alzheimer’s Los Angeles
| References |
| [1] AARP Public Policy Institute, National Alliance for Caregiving. (2015). Caregiving in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2015/caregiving-in-the-united-states-2015-report-revised.pdf [2] Reinhard, S., et al. (2017). Emerging Innovations in Managing Long-term Services and Supports for Family Caregivers. AARP Public Policy. http://www.longtermscorecard.org/~/media/Microsite/Files/2017/2017%20Scorecard/AARP1202_EI_EmerInnovationLTSS_Oct31v2.pdf |