Caregiver well-being: a strengths-based case management approach.

Abstract

Family caregiving creates challenges and gains for professionals and family members involved in the caregiving arrangement. Caregiver well-being, in particular, is a complex and multidimensional concept for case managers as they engage in assessment, measurement and intervention planning. This article describes a blending of concepts--case management, strengths model and caregiver well-being--and presents applications of this integrated practice framework. The Caregiver Well-Being Scale is discussed as a tool for use in case management with elders and their family caregivers. Case scenarios derived from a strengths-based practice perspective are presented as examples of ways in which the Scale can be integrated into case management practice. Implications for programmatic use are also highlighted.