Member: AARP
Family caregivers are the backbone of the long-term services and supports (LTSS) system. Family members, partners, and close friends provide the vast majority of the care and support for loved ones with chronic care needs and functional limitations.
Caregiver assessment is a systematic process of gathering information about a caregiving situation to identify the specific problems, needs, strengths, and resources of the family caregiver, as well as the ability of the caregiver to contribute to the needs of the care recipient. Effectively assessing and addressing caregiver needs can maintain the health and well-being of caregivers, sustain their ability to provide care, prevent or postpone nursing home placement, and produce better outcomes for the care recipient.
This fact sheet, produced by the AARP Public Policy Institute with support from The SCAN Foundation and The Commonwealth Fund explains the fundamental principles of caregiver assessment and why assessments have an important role in a high-performing LTSS system.