Caregiver Policy Lens (CGPL)Dr. Penny MacCourt“Supporting Caregivers of Older Adults”B.C. Psychogeriatric Association2011

Goals of presentation To introduce the Caregiver Policy Lens

(CGPL) How and why the CGPL was developed Explore the CGPL Discuss ways you can use the CGPL How to use the CGPL with the Service

Provider Resource Guide (SPRG)

What is the CGPL? A resource to identify unintended

negative effects of policies and programs on caregivers, and to provide a common framework to develop and critique policy

Generated from the perspective of caregivers of older adults, including those that provide services to them

Developed through a contribution from the Government of Canada

What is the CGPL? A series of 11 main questions, with a list

of sub-questions, organized as a checklist

Questions designed to be answered with yes/no/don’t know/need more information

Responses then scored Creation of an action plan

What is the CGPL? These questions are designed to:

Increase awareness about caregivers’ needs Identify unintended negative effects of policies on

caregivers Promote the inclusion of the caregivers of seniors.

Intended audience: policy makers and analysts, program managers, educators, service providers, researchers, caregiver advocates and organizations

Purpose of Using the CGPL To frame development of programs and policies that

value and support caregivers of older Canadians To critique proposed policies and programs for

potential unintended negative effects on caregivers To assess policies or programs’ promotion of

caregivers’ well-being To identify gaps in current policies, programs and

activities that affect caregivers To guide studies of the impact of programs on

caregivers To develop a policy response to an issue or need

How do you use the CGPL? Can be used for as an analytical tool (to

systematically examine in detail a policy, program or practice).

Can be used as a process tool (to bring people together and generate discussion).

Development of the CGPL Spoke with close to 300 interested

parties across Canada Front line service providers, program

managers, administrators, policy analysts/developers, non-profit organizations, advocates, academics, health educators, caregivers

Targeted literature review of existing literature, assessments and policy

Key Components of the CGPL Overview of Canadian Caregivers Background development and benefits of using

the CGPL Summary of CGPL questions CGPL instrument Creating an action plan Appendix One: Challenges in obtaining support

identified by caregivers Appendix Two: Values, principles and key

concepts underpinning the CGPL

Summary of CGPL Question Categories Caregiver Inclusion & Voice Collaboration Evidence Informed Respect & Dignity Diversity & Marginalization Choice, Self-determination &

Independence

Summary of CGPL Question Categories Accessibility Caregiver Assessment Sustaining Caregivers Sustaining Systems Fairness & Equity

Caregivertoolkit.ca

Benefits of Using the CGPL Increased awareness of the value of

caregiving, and the challenges caregivers experience.

Development of policies and programs that integrate and reflect caregivers’ values and concerns.

Benefits of Using the CGPL A consistent approach to developing/evaluating

programs and policies that promotes: An interdisciplinary, inter-jurisdictional and cross-

sectoral approach Information sharing regarding policies and

programs Increased sensitivity to issues affecting caregivers Partnerships in identifying and meeting the needs of

Canadian caregivers Less duplication and fewer gaps A society that values and supports caregiving

Using the CGPL Can be used as a tool for analysis (to

examine, in detail, a specific policy or program)

A residential care organization is using the CGPL to assess intake policies to evaluate specific needs of mental health admissions, and to help develop a collaborative decision-making model for potential changes to admission policy

Using the CGPL Can be used as a process tool (to

generate discussion and ideas) A provincial research center is using the

CGPL to ensure their development of on-line resources for senior caregivers identifies key needs, perspectives, and challenges facing caregivers of older adults

Using the CGPL Focus flexible: can use several or all

questions to guide analysis/process A national non-profit advocacy group is

using several of the CGPL questions to shape their long-term strategic planning for service delivery supporting caregivers caring for a disease-specific population

Incorporating the Service Provider Resource Guide A ‘companion’ resource for front-line

service providers, program managers, administrators, health educators, advocates, and anyone interested in strengthening caregiver resiliency through service provision.

Incorporating the Service Provider Resource Guide The Service Provider Resource Guide is a

comprehensive document that includes: A review of Caregiver Assessment Tools A review of Caregiver Interventions Issues in Ongoing Case Management A directory of Federal and Provincial Economic

Security Policies to Support Caregivers A directory of Federal and Provincial Non-

Profit Resources

Why use the SPRG? Practical tools and resources to address gaps

identified through application of the CGPL Increased knowledge of issues affecting

caregivers Increased ability to identify, clarify, and solve

issues that affect caregiver resiliency Increased knowledge of system stressors in

providing attention and resources to caregivers Access to evidence informed support thereby

increasing service provider resiliency

How to integrate both resources The organization using the CGPL to

assess intake policies to evaluate needs of mental health admissions and to help develop a collaborative decision-making model for potential changes to admission policy is also

Using the SPRG resources to address issues and/or gaps identified through CGPL application

Resources Website: caregivertoolkit.ca CD and print formats of the resources For more information, please contact:

Dr. Penny MacCourtpennymaccourt@shaw.ca 1.250.756.2529

Marian Krawczykmkrawczy@sfu.ca 1.250.400.2444