How can cities improve systems and networks for family caregivers?

Family members are often unprepared to meet the complex demands of caring for a loved one who is aging or infirmed. There is much research published about the impacts of caregiving, and although it can be a rewarding experience, many caregivers feel isolated, emotionally and physically stressed, unsupported, financially taxed, and often report burnout and depression. There are many resources and services available, but Smetana's work with residents in the City of Scottsdale made it clear that access to this help and knowledge about where to find it needs improvement.

Originally, she planned to research best practices of public/private partnerships that provide high quality respite daycare for adults, and work to establish such a facility in her community. Fortunately, in June 2021, after years of advocacy, the City Council unanimously approved adding such a facility to the five-year capital improvement plan. As a result, Smetana pivoted her project to focus on other aspects of building resilience for caregivers. She used the resilience factors she learned about during her fellowship:  strengthening the awareness, adaptability, and community connectedness of family caregivers.

Smetana held local focus groups with caregivers, city employees, educators and health professionals to learn more about their experiences and how the city could fill in the gaps to better loop in existing systems. She sat in on research performed by Dr. Coon and his team that offered tools and strategies for families with one member diagnosed in the early stages of dementia. She learned that caregivers simply need to know where to go or some other calm tether to information and assistance that they need. City employees needed the information consolidated in a usable way so they could help point people in the direction of help. Planning, information and a willingness to empathize with the stressors caregivers and the elderly are feeling would improve conditions and provide for a more resilient future.

Scottsdale has embarked on an ongoing conversation about the value and importance of family caregivers. Information is available, programs are in place, and city staff and officials are learning how to help people find those supports. Smetana plans to continue building networks and systems that are embedded in our social structure, easily accessible, quickly mobilized and promote the ability of caregivers to manage shocks and stressors so that we can build a stronger community.