Caring for a chronically ill family member can often be the reason for an individual’s emotional hardship, physical stress, and social isolation. But there are skill-building, coping, and psychoeducational programs that continue to emerge in communities to help caregivers meet the changes and challenges in their – as well as the patients’ – lives.
Deborah J. Monahan, professor, School of Social Work, and interim associate dean of research, co-edited the publication, “Education and Support Programs for Caregivers: Research, Practice, Policy, which explores the diversity of today’s caregiver population and their experiences and needs. The book introduces a solid framework for planning, implementing, and evaluating caregiver programs and synthesizes current trends while exploring the effectiveness of different types of programs and groups, and how supportive programs lead to improved care.
In addition to the book’s introduction and identification of current and future directions, Monahan authored the chapter, “Utilization Patterns of Caregiver Education and Support Programs.”