Family Caregiving as a Service Niche for Agencies: Findings from a Study of Philanthropic Trends

Abstract

Family elder caregiving is a relatively unsaturated and expanding service niche. The article reports on a national study of family elder caregiving initiatives that were funded by foundations between 1994 and 1999, and presents a sample of the diverse and innovative ways in which agencies have responded to the need of family members caring for older adult relatives. The authors suggest that there are many opportunities for family service agencies that wish to support family caregivers particularly since caregiving demands on families will continue to grow given our nation's burgeoning older population and funding appears encouraging now that caregiving is on the national agenda.