Caregiving in California: Final Report of the University of California Family Caregiver Support Project (2006)

This report summarizes findings from a unique study of caregiver service use in California during the initial two years of active implementation of the NFCSP. The report provides a brief summary of the characteristics of California caregivers; analyzes patterns of caregiver service utilization, with special attention to racial and ethnic variations; investigates caregiver and care recipient well-being; describes the changes observed in study participants during the initial two years of active implementation of the NFCSP; and summarizes key implications for practice, policy, and further research on the needs of family caregivers. In general, the authors suggest that the NFCSP is having a positive impact on the lives of California caregivers, who reported an increase in service use with a decrease in unmet needs, barriers to service use, and caregiver distress. However, a substantial number of caregivers continue to lack caregiver support services.

Author Andrew Scharlach, Teresa Dal Santo, Amanda Lehning, Kristen Gustavson, Suzanne Lee, Erica Auh, Patick Fox, & Julian Chow

Date 9/1/2006

To View The Report http://cssr.berkeley.edu/pdfs/FCSPFinalReport.pdf

Topic: Direct Services and Support for Caregivers