Implementing and sustaining family care programs in real-world settings: Barriers and facilitators
January 29, 2021
Abstract
Efficacy trials demonstrate how family care programs make a real difference in the wellbeing of persons living with dementia and their caregivers. However, proven programs are not widely available and most families affected by this disease as well as their care providers have no knowledge of or access to them, thus threatening to further widen the family care gap. In response, recent efforts have focused on translating proven programs into care settings, yet little is understood about these translational efforts. This chapter reviews studies reporting on the translation of evidence-based family caregiver programs for delivery in healthcare or community-based settings. We examine the frameworks and leading strategies used in these studies to guide implementation of evidence-based programs in order to grow the evidence for implementation and advance an understanding of how to effectively close the family care gap. We also describe the key drivers for and barriers to organizational change identified by studies and conclude with a set of recommendations for future research and policies to address the family care gap.