Impact of Home Care Management on the Involvement of Informal Caregivers by Formal Caregivers

Abstract

This study explores the link between management characteristics of home care agencies and the involvement of informal caregivers in caregiving. Based on a study of policy documents of two agencies and semi-structured interviews with five team managers and 31 formal caregivers, we conclude that, although the importance of involving informal caregivers is emphasized in official documentation, actual contact with informal caregivers is often lacking. Comparison of the work processes of the two agencies shows that contact with informal caregivers and their potential involvement are enhanced by smaller teams, less task division, and clarity about the responsibilities of formal caregivers.

KEYWORDS:

• home care agencies
• home care management
• informal care
• formal care
• informal care policy
• informal caregiver involvement

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by The National Care for the Elderly Programme (File Number 314080302) from The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw).