Ensuring Enabling and Supportive EnvironmentsCare, and support for caregivers
Substantial research is needed concerning all aspects of caring in relation to ageing. This research needs to be conceptual, practical and applied and must range over the full scope of medical, psychosocial, economic, environmental and care provider dimensions of caring. Education in all aspects of care assessment and provision is essential in gerontology and geriatrics and must include consideration of both formal and informal modes of care. Care needs and provision are at the heart of gerontological and geriatric practice including primary and specialist care.
Research
- In addition to the important work being done about the roles and functions of care providers, more attention must be paid to economic aspects of the caring enterprise. The value of informal care providers to our systems is enormous; the cost of relying on public sector resources to pay for care is clearly out of reach for nearly all societies. Research into ways to support the informal caring networks to ensure that this vital part of a civil society is maintained requires careful attention by researchers and policy makers.
Education
- Education in the assessment of needs, setting objectives for care, and provision of formal and informal care are essential in gerontological and geriatric education. Relevant management and ethical issues should be included.
Policy and Practice
- Caring needs to be supported so that families can continue in their caring roles. It needs to be emphasized that public support does not lessen the amount of informal care, but that for those without the benefit of informal, family care providers, government has an obligation to provide for their care.
- New forms of caregiving need to be carefully researched and, where found to work effectively, supported and disseminated. Policies should recognize the importance of caring as an integral part of life course; for example it should be featured in school curricula.
- Traditionally women have provided the bulk of informal care to older people, especially frail or dementing spouses, disabled children or friends.
- As Women’s participation in the workforce continues to rise, this pool of carers is shrinking and the inclination of women to take on these roles is lessening. This puts at considerable risk the informal care system.
- The important role of men as carers or potential carers needs to be recognized and supported.