1. Caregiver Policy Lens (CGPL) Dr. Penny MacCourt “Supporting Caregivers of Older Adults” B.C. Psychogeriatric Association 2011

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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).

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. Summary of CGPL Question Categories  Accessibility  Caregiver Assessment  Sustaining Caregivers  Sustaining Systems  Fairness & Equity  Caregivertoolkit.ca Caregivertoolkit.ca

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Resources  Website: caregivertoolkit.cacaregivertoolkit.ca  CD and print formats of the resources  For more information, please contact: Dr. Penny MacCourt pennymaccourt@shaw.capennymaccourt@shaw.ca 1.250.756.2529 Marian Krawczyk mkrawczy@sfu.camkrawczy@sfu.ca 1.250.400.2444