A Study on Family Caregiver Support Programs in the U.S.A.: The Case of the State of Georgia

Abstract

This is a descriptive study that introduces programs that support family caregivers looking after the elderly, by focusing on the case of Georgia, in the United States. The U.S. is one of the few countries that support family caregivers by law. In this study, we focus on the evidence-based interventions implemented through the Alzheimer`s Disease Supportive Services Program (ADSSP), a federal policy that complements the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). Our findings show that one-on-one evidence-based programs (EBPs) for family caregivers are both economical and effective in assisting caregivers. In our discussion, we highlight how the implementation of the latest EBPs can build an infrastructure to support family caregivers. ADSSP funding is useful as it constructs a caregiver support through the implementation of programs in the local community. The result is the creation of a well-coordinated division of labor among government agencies, academia and NGOs, which produces a synergetic effect in funding, research and development, translation and implementation of programs, and staff training. We conclude that the implementation of EBPs funded by the government is a useful reference for Korea and other rapidly aging countries, if we are to create an infrastructure for caregiver support, which can effectively prevent a crisis in caregiving.