Local Needs Assessment and Planning Efforts for Family Caregivers

Abstract

This study examines the adequacy of the current Area Agency on Aging (AAA) needs assessment techniques for identifying and meeting the unique needs of family caregivers, as required under the reauthorized Older Americans Act (OAA, 2000). Our analysis is based on a review of California AAAs' Title III-E Area Plans and their responses to a follow-up survey. The findings underscore the challenges experienced by AAAs as they attempt to identify local caregiver needs and develop and implement plans for meeting those needs. While most AAAs used a variety of methods to identify the needs of caregivers in their communities, these methods typically were not sufficient to provide a representative picture, especially minority groups and other special subpopulations. In addition, AAAs varied considerably in their ability to utilize information about caregiver needs to develop service plans. In addition, AAAs reported a number of barriers as they attempted to expand their efforts to address the needs of family caregivers. The authors identify six general tasks with several specific options that AAAs and others can use to enhance the caregiver needs assessment and community planning process.