Developing a faith-based caregiver support partnership

J Gerontol Soc Work. 2014;57(6-7):728-49. doi: 10.1080/01634372.2014.898007. Epub 2014 Jul 29.

Abstract

Caring Together, Living Better (CTLB), a partnership of nonprofit and faith-based organizations, developed a culturally appropriate regional network of supportive caregiver services in the south suburbs of Chicago, IL. This article describes the findings of a mixed-methods evaluation that included network analysis to track network growth and development, tracking of service delivery, assessment of caregiver-related outcomes using standardized pre-post measures, and analysis of change stories elicited from project partners. Results include documentation of network expansion and statistically significant improvements in caregiving self-efficacy and adequacy of help. Story themes highlight participants' positive experiences with CTLB and improved caregiver quality of life.

Keywords: caregiving; ethnicity and multicultural issues; mixed methods; spirituality/religion.

MeSH terms

  • Access to Information
  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Caregivers / education*
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Chicago
  • Community Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Counseling
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Program Evaluation
  • Quality of Life
  • Religion*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Social Support*