Caregivers' failure to thrive: A case for health and continuing care systems transformation. Issue 5 (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Magnaye, Andrew; Fast, Janet; Eales, Jacquie; Stolow, Mark; Leslie, Myles
• Is Part Of: Healthcare management forum. Volume 33:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 214
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Health services administration -- Periodicals; Health services administration -- Canada -- Periodicals; 362.1068
• DOI: 10.1177/0840470420921907
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0840-4704

Abstract

Excluding family caregivers and their goals from healthcare thinking and system design has contributed to their "failure to thrive." Family caregivers are diverse, with dynamic, enduring, and variable life course care trajectories that are largely ignored. Using a co-design approach, caregivers prioritized their goals across seven life domains in an on-line survey. Physical, mental, and emotional health goals were top priorities across all ages. However, care-related goals were not caregivers' highest priority. Goals related to financial well-being, social connections, employment, education, and care were variable across ages. Our findings suggest that transforming health and continuing care systems begins with recognizing variability of caregivers' goals across their life courses. Adopting a co-design approach with family caregivers may serve as a model to develop a collaborative health and continuing care system. One that recognizes and supports family caregivers to achieve their goals, so that they not only survive but thrive.