Caregiving is not a disease: moving from reactive to proactive supports for family caregivers across the healthcare system

Abstract

Saint Elizabeth partnered directly with family caregivers in a study to develop promising practices and indicators of effective caregiver education and support. Researchers heard that caregivers want and need proactive supports to help them thrive and equip them with tools and resources to protect their capacity to care and prevent distress; however, the current system of support is heavily focused on a reactive, medical approach to managing and treating caregiver "burden." Saint Elizabeth is dedicated to promoting a philosophical shift in thinking about caregiver education and support and is actively re-designing support services to reflect what caregivers say they need.