A HOSPITAL-BASED PROGRAM

TO EDUCATE, EQUIP AND

SUPPORT HEALTHCARE’S

INVISIBLE WORKFORCE1

THE “INVISIBLE WORKFORCE”

… the entire health care workforce, including both formal and informal caregivers, need to have the requisite data, knowledge, and tools to provide high quality care.

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CAREGIVER CHARACTERISTICS

❑60% female - 40% male

❑24% have provided care for 5 or more years

❑26% have provided care for 1 – 4 years

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CAREGIVER ACTIVITIES

❑66% - monitoring health of recipient

❑63% - communicating with recipient’s health care professionals

❑50% - advocating with providers, services, agencies

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CAREGIVER ACTIVITIES

❑Assist with medical/nursing tasks

❑42% - without any preparation

❑14% - with training

❑41% - do not do these tasks

❑ 3% - unsure

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EMOTIONAL STRESS

❑38% report their caregiving situation to be highly stressful

❑53% - caring for someone with mental health problems

❑50% - caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease/dementia

❑45% - caring for someone with a long-term physical condition

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INFORMATION NEEDS

❑84% could use more information or help on caregiver topics

❑42% - keeping loved one safe at home

❑42% - managing their own stress

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EXPERIENCES WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

❑32% report that a health care provider, such as a doctor, nurse or social worker, has asked about what was needed to care for their recipient

❑16% report a health care provider has asked what they need to take care of themselves

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• Built on the Foundation’s 3 year, $16 M National Family and Informal Caregiver Initiative, 14 sites in 9 states. Over 400,000 caregivers received services.

• Together We Care – Making Maryland the Best Place to Grow Old • 4 part, 8 year initiative, beginning in Baltimore and reaching out. • No wrong door access. - Replicating 12 core services and supports for caregivers. - Developing 3 additional services: Urgent alert; wheelchair transportation; durable medical equipment lending. - Enhanced paid caregiver training, support and supervision. -

Making Maryland the Best Place to Grow Old

WORKGROUP

Jonathan Aistrop Rick Bennett, MD Jessica Colburn, MD Lisa Filbert Linda Gorman Karen Jones Jane Marks

Selwyn Ray Sandy Reckert Marge Rodgers Kai Shea Carol Sylvester Paula Teague Javier Vazquez

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RECOGNITION & GRATITUDE

This booklet is for individuals who provide care for a family member or friend. Even if the assistance you provide seems limited…you play a critical role…. Because of that, we want to begin by recognizing your valuable contributions and saying, “Thank you.”

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PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR

“I am very grateful for your hard work. We sincerely appreciate your contributions to the university.”

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PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR

Pretest Posttest Control 39.76 41.38

Gratitude 41.40 62.60

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PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR

“Dear ___, I just wanted to let you know that I received your feedback on my cover letter. Thank you so much! I am really grateful. I was wondering if you could help with a second cover letter I prepared and give me feedback on it. The cover letter is attached. Can you send me some comments in the next 3 days?”

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PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR

Control 11/34 32%

Gratitude 23/35 66%

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PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR

The consistently strong effects of relatively small gratitude manipulations are noteworthy. In our first two experiments, a mere expression of thanks more than doubled the likelihood that helpers would provide assistance again.

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PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR

These findings suggest that when helpers are thanked for their efforts, the resulting sense of being socially valued, more than the feelings of competence they experience, are critical in encouraging them to provide more help in the future.

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DAVID B. HELLMANN, MD

The care and attention provided by family and friends often contribute the most to a patient’s recovery, dignity, and comfort.

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JOHN R. BURTON, MD

The real ‘Saints’ in health care are the family and friends of an ill or injured individual. As I have witnessed as a physician, this caregiving is vitally important for healing and achieving quality care that provides comfort, confidence and dignity.

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RICHARD G. BENNETT, MD

The partnering of a patient and a loving caregiver with a healthcare team not only ensures the best patient care, but will be the foundation for transforming American health care.

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ACCESSING RESOURCES

❑ Web site – descriptions & links to resources ❑ Maryland Caregiver Teleconnection ❑ Newsletter – every two months ❑ Caregiver Cafés – 2/month

❑Physician ❑Nurse ❑Chaplain ❑Social Worker ❑Attorney

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CAREGIVER CAFES

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Alzheimer’s Association Answers for Aging/Catholic Charities Community Mediation Jewish Community Services Maryland Access Point (MAP) or 2-1-1 Maryland Legal Aid Meals on Wheels National Alliance on Mental Illness

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FAITH OUTREACH

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There are only four kinds of people in the world:Those who have been caregivers,Those who are currently caregivers,Those who will be caregivers,And those who will need caregivers. Rosalynn Carter

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