title: Impact of home care management on the involvement of informal caregivers by formal caregivers.
abstract: This study explores the link between management characteristics of home care agencies and the involvement of informal caregivers in caregiving. Based on a study of policy documents of two agencies and semi-structured interviews with five team managers and 31 formal caregivers, we conclude that, although the importance of involving informal caregivers is emphasized in official documentation, actual contact with informal caregivers is often lacking. Comparison of the work processes of the two agencies shows that contact with informal caregivers and their potential involvement are enhanced by smaller teams, less task division, and clarity about the responsibilities of formal caregivers.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Organization Sciences , VU University Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Wieringen
authors.forename: Marjolein I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Broese van Groenou
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Groenewegen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019468:Disease Management; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D005791:Patient Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: formal care; home care agencies; home care management; informal care; informal care policy; informal caregiver involvement