Policy and Research Analyst, Katz Policy Institute, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
J Aging Soc Policy. 2011 Jan;23(1):19-33. doi: 10.1080/08959420.2011.532001.
Caregivers have an important role in assisting frail and/or disabled individuals to maintain their independence in the community. Support to assist caregivers in this often stressful and demanding role is critical to sustaining the caregivers' health and ability to provide care. This paper reviews federal policy changes since 2000 that have expanded and enhanced services for informal caregivers. Next, data collected from State Units on Aging and other state agencies are presented to describe the extent to which caregiver services are included in home- and community-based programs under three funding streams (Medicaid waivers, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-funded programs, and state-funded programs). Program characteristics, such as eligibility and consumer-directed options, are included. Finally, the accomplishments and initiatives reported by state respondents related to supporting informal caregivers are also explained. Results indicate that services for informal caregivers are receiving greater attention and are frequently offered under home- and community-based service programs by the states that participated in this study.
照顾者在帮助体弱或残疾人士在社区中保持独立方面发挥着重要作用。为了在这个经常充满压力和要求的角色中支持照顾者，为他们提供支持对于维持照顾者的健康和提供照顾的能力至关重要。本文回顾了自 2000 年以来扩大和加强为非正式照顾者提供服务的联邦政策变化。其次，从州老龄化问题机构和其他州机构收集的数据用于描述在三种资金来源（医疗补助豁免、医疗保险和医疗补助服务中心资助计划以及州资助计划）下，家庭和社区为基础的计划中纳入照顾者服务的程度。计划的特点，如资格和消费者导向的选择，都包括在内。最后，还解释了参与这项研究的州报告的与支持非正式照顾者有关的成就和举措。结果表明，在这项研究中，各州的家庭和社区服务计划更加关注非正式照顾者的服务，并经常为他们提供服务。
