Share the Care™: An Established Model Supported By Research (and Practice)

Background and Purpose:

Description of the Problem:With suspension of many government programs, and hospitals working to cut readmissions, the burden on caregivers is increasing. Social Workers and other health professionals, non-profit organizations, institutions, and hospices can help the estimated 65.7 million US caregivers cope by introducing innovative solutions to alleviate caregiver burnout and isolation through the formation of an organized “caregiving family” for support.  By 2030, 71 million people will be over 65 and many will need caregiving support. The challenge is that there will not be enough healthcare professionals to provide care and the number of younger people who might serve as caregivers will diminish. 

Study Objectives: Share The Care™ (STC) is a caregiving model that has been guiding people on how to pool their talents, time, and resources to assist someone facing a health, aging or medical crisis and importantly to maintain their help over time.  The purpose of this research was to conduct a case study program evaluation to establish supportive evidence of its effectiveness as an innovative program within the caregiver continuum.

Research Questions:(1) Is participation in STC associated with a reduced level of burden for the primary caregiver and/or other family members? (2) Is there an association between participation in STC and improved confidence in caregiving skills among group members? (3) Is there a relationship between the shared experience and group members’ satisfaction?

Methods:

Study Design (description of participants and sampling methods):  A sample of 134 participants completed the surveys and eight completed the phone interviews. The sample was made up of individuals from the following groups: care recipients, caregivers, and group members.

Data Collection Procedures:The data collection was conducted in two phases, beginning with an online survey and followed by in-depth phone interviews of a sample of survey participants. 

Measures:Survey and interview questions were developed based on pre-existing measures on caregiving satisfaction and burden and pilot tested by individuals familiar with the STC model. 

Appropriate Analytic/Statistical Approach:This case study evaluation utilized a mixed methods design using a quantitative and qualitative approach.  Analysis was conducted using appropriate statistical software (SPSS, Dedoose). 

Results:The results of the study demonstrate that STC is an effective model for providing alternative caregiving strategies, helping to prevent isolation, burden among caregivers, and improving the overall wellbeing of those involved. A majority of caregivers (83%) reported a decreased sense of burden and 80% became more accepting of their family member’s challenge or diagnosis.     

Conclusions and Implications: STC is an established, replicable model for caregiving that has been supported by evidence.  Adapting this model could provide extensive benefits to participants and communities/society.

Tools, ideas, or strategies participants will take away to help them in their work:

Workshop participants will receive an overview of the STC model and the “Seeding STC in Communities Program.” Examples of the accomplishments of STC groups in action will be discussed as well as STC programs at work in different locales in the US and Canada.