What to expect…
Approximately 5 million people in Germany are in need of long-term care, with more than half being cared for at home exclusively by informal caregivers (ICs), such as family members and close relatives. Providing care in the home setting is associated with substantial physical, emotional, and psychological burdens for caregivers.<br>Care counseling services as well as support and respite services tailored specifically to the needs of informal caregivers—such as home care services, adult day care, or caregiver support groups—offer considerable potential for reducing caregiver burden. However, these services remain underutilized.<br>Several important questions arise: How vulnerable are informal caregivers to developing physical and/or mental health problems as a result of caregiving-related stress? Why are care counseling and support services insufficiently utilized despite the high burden and associated health risks? Are users dissatisfied with the available services? What needs to be done to increase the uptake of these services in the future? Where can informal caregivers find appropriate support? And do informal caregivers experience only burden, or are there also positive aspects associated with providing care at home?<br>These questions will be addressed in our presentation. Natascha Lauer, M.Sc., and Sophia Bösl, M.Sc., will present current findings from the survey “Needs and Requirements of Informal Caregivers – A Longitudinal Study to Strengthen Home-Based Care in Bavaria,” conducted by the Home-Based Care Strengthening Research Group led by PD Dr. Anna Pendergrass at the Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen. When?: July, 14th (17:30-19:00) Where?: Hörsaal ZMPT (Henkestr. 91, Erlangen)
