Linking employed caregivers' perceptions of long-term community services with health care legislation

Many Americans experience the daily struggle of combining employment with long-term caregiving of an older adult in their family. This study examined factors affecting employed informal caregivers use and nonuse of long-term community services and the influence on their employment. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study had a convenience sample of 50 employed informal caregivers. Three major factors were identified as facilitating the use of long-term community care services, whereas 9 others were described as barriers. The study participants also suggested 12 changes in long-term community services that could have allowed them to continue both employment and informal caregiving. Information from this study may help advance the discussion regarding the linkage of employed informal caregivers' needs, perceptions of community support services, and their employment.