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Caregivers

Caregivers
commentary
Rescue Plan Help for Family Caregivers Is a First Step
Alexandra Drane, Molly Coye, Esther M. Friedman @friedmanEM
Apr 5, 2021
The RAND Blog
Unpaid caregivers have been a critical part of the functioning U.S. economy, serving as the backbone of the health system, since long before the pandemic started. Adding them to the American Rescue Plan was an important step, but even after the pandemic is over, their financial security will need long-term protection.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
COVID-19 Testing in Schools, Family Caregivers, U.S. Entrepreneurship: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 12, 2021
This weekly recap focuses on COVID-19 testing in schools, giving a voice to family caregivers, preparing for daylight saving time, and more.
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Caregivers
essay
Giving Family Caregivers a Voice
Mar 10, 2021
One in every five American adults is caring for a loved one in need. Too often, they have to fight to make their voices heard in a health care system that doesn't always see them as the partners in care they can be. More could be done to integrate them into patients' health care teams.
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Caregivers
commentary
Family Caregivers Are the Health Care Workers That Vaccination Plans Overlook
Esther M. Friedman @friedmanEM
Mar 1, 2021
Route Fifty
About 53 million family members and friends provide care to loved ones in the United States, representing a critical element of the long-term care system. The pandemic has made family caregivers front-line workers. They can't be left out of important discussions around vaccination priorities and how to minimize the virus's risk to those with compromised health.
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Domestic Terrorism
blog
A Message from Our President, Medical Mistrust, Insulin Prices: RAND Weekly Recap
Jan 8, 2021
This weekly recap focuses on Wednesday’s siege on the U.S. Capitol, Americans' psychological distress, medical mistrust and COVID-19 vaccines, and more.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
RAND Commentary Highlights from 2020
Dec 18, 2020
The roughly 400 op-eds and blog posts published by RAND researchers during the year reflected an enormous variety of expertise and perspectives, from remote education to election cybersecurity to the economic harms of racial disparities. Here are 10 highlights that landed in high-profile news outlets.
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Veterans Health Care
blog
Veterans Day, Psychedelic Drug Policy, Family Caregivers: RAND Weekly Recap
Nov 13, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on supporting veterans with mental health and substance use disorders, changes to psychedelic drug policy, the vital role of family caregivers, and more.
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Labor Markets
commentary
Sitting It Out? Or Pushed Out? Women Are Leaving the Labor Force in Record Numbers
Kathryn A. Edwards @keds_economist
Oct 23, 2020
The RAND Blog
Added to long-standing challenges such as securing child care and combating pay disparities, the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit women workers measurably harder than men. The consequences highlight just how much policy has failed to keep up with women's progress.
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Social Services and Welfare
commentary
Learning from Existing Novel Approaches to Solving the Adult Social Care Crisis Is Better Than Reinventing the Wheel
Tom Ling, Jon Sussex, Susie Finlayson
Oct 14, 2020
The RAND Blog
The growing gap in the UK between the need for social care for older people and the provision of support arises not only from a crisis of funding, but also from a failure to learn from what is already being done well. Closing the gap might be achieved by learning from creative approaches already being tried and then implementing them.
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Work-Family Conflicts
commentary
Back to School: Working Parents Will Need Help from Employers
Charlene A. Wong, Laura J. Faherty @LauraFahertyMD
Jul 17, 2020
USA Today
Reopening schools would provide much-needed child care for parents who need to work, help feed 30 million U.S. children, and prevent further inequitable learning losses. But it also means exposing more kids to the virus. How can families and employers prepare for the disruptions that lie ahead?
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
Air Travel Data to Predict COVID Risk, Heatwave Planning, Caregiver Time Off: RAND Weekly Recap
Jun 12, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on using air travel data to predict COVID risk, planning for a heat wave during the pandemic, why caregivers need time off, and more.
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Work-Family Conflicts
commentary
Working Moms at Risk of Being Left Behind in Economic Recovery
Melanie A. Zaber @MelanieZaber, Kathryn A. Edwards @keds_economist
Jun 11, 2020
United Press International
Being a working parent was hard enough before the pandemic. If COVID-19 intensifies the perception that parenting is at odds with work, then there may be devastating career consequences for working mothers.
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Work-Family Conflicts
commentary
Reopened Offices Won’t Mean Back-to-Normal for Caregivers
Heather J. Williams, Bobbi Thomason
Jun 4, 2020
CNN
As some workplaces start to reopen and work-from-home guidelines relax, corporate leaders may hope things will quickly get back to normal. But for employees who are also caregivers, that's likely not going to be the case.
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Work-Family Conflicts
commentary
Parenting Through the Pandemic: Who's Working, Who's Caring for the Kids, and What Policies Might Help
Kathryn A. Edwards @keds_economist, Grace Evans, Daniel Schwam
Apr 8, 2020
The RAND Blog
To help inform policy decisions that could help working parents affected by COVID-19, we examined the U.S. Department of Labor's Current Population Survey and recent coronavirus relief acts. Our review shows us what aid working parents might expect and what kinds of aid policymakers might consider going forward.
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blog
State of the Union 2020: Insights from RAND
Feb 5, 2020
The final State of the Union address of President Trump's four-year term may be viewed through the lens of the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the evening. But the speech touched on a range of policy challenges that will remain, regardless of how politics play out in 2020.
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Patient-Centered Care
essay
Giving Patients a Voice in Medical Guidelines
Dec 31, 2019
Clinical guidelines are the user manuals of modern medicine. They can dictate insurance coverage and help hospitals set quality standards. Yet they often lack the perspective of those who care the most about good treatment: patients and their caregivers. Researchers are working to change that.
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Media Literacy
blog
How Americans Get the News, Iran, Caregiving: RAND Weekly Recap
Dec 13, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on how Americans consume the news, U.S.–Iranian relations, how federal disability payments help caregivers, and more.
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Caregivers
commentary
Recognizing Family Caregivers as Part of the Health Care Team
Esther M. Friedman @friedmanEM, Patricia K. Tong
Nov 18, 2019
The RAND Blog
Recent shifts in health care practices have left family caregivers increasingly responsible for medical tasks. Given family caregivers' central role in medical care, there are efforts underway to improve family caregiver integration into the health care team, but there are barriers to effective integration and engagement.
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Children and Families Legislation
commentary
Use It or Lose It—Why Taking Parental Leave Is So Important for Fathers
Barbara Janta, Katherine Stewart
Mar 4, 2019
E!Sharp
The active involvement of both a mother and a father in the upbringing of a child has great social and psychological benefits. Yet, despite legal provisions allowing parents to take time off to look after children, such as parental leave, many men are still reluctant to take it.
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Work-Family Conflicts
commentary
Work vs. Family: How Some Countries Lead the Way in Flexible Working
Barbara Janta, Harry McNeill Adams, Nadia Koch
Jan 31, 2019
EurActiv
Many families in the European Union struggle to balance their professional and domestic responsibilities. Harmony between work and home could be an important way to help children and adults and promote a more prosperous society at large. More action could be taken to support work-life balance for working parents.
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Military Caregivers
essay
Military Caregivers Share the Costs of War
Oct 30, 2017
Millions of veterans and service members receive care from family and friends who need support as well. Military caregivers sacrifice their time, their jobs, and even their health to provide a service worth billions of dollars to the United States.
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Caregivers
commentary
How Can Europe Encourage Fathers to Take Parental Leave?
Janna van Belle
Oct 14, 2016
New Europe
Whether fathers take parental leave depends on economic factors, but flexibility of timing and workplace culture also seem to make a difference. The link between fathers taking parental leave and improvements in child development makes it an important area for European policymakers to consider.
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Health Care Delivery Approaches
commentary
Improving Care and Support for People Living with Breathlessness
Morag Farquhar, Peter Burge, Catherine L. Saunders
Jun 10, 2016
The BMJ
Living with COPD puts a huge burden on patients and their informal caregivers. What measures could improve care and support among these groups?
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Alzheimer's Disease and Dementias
essay
Struggling with Dementia
Aug 10, 2015
The costs of dementia are staggering. A recent RAND analysis quantifies the scope of the problem in the United States and serves as a wake-up call to policymakers everywhere.
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Caregivers
commentary
Caregivers in England Report Poorer Health and Healthcare Experiences
Catherine L. Saunders
Jun 17, 2015
The RAND Blog
Caregivers in England have poorer health-related quality of life than non-caregivers, reporting an average of 11 fewer days of full health per year.
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Military Caregivers
commentary
Caring for Our Nation's Hidden Heroes?
Elizabeth Dole, Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich
May 7, 2015
Washington Times
Thanks to a growing list of more than 100 organizations that have pledged their commitment as members of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's National Coalition for Military Caregivers, our nation is taking long overdue action to support both our wounded warriors and those who care for them.
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Military Families
q&a
From Combat to Caregiving: Q&A with Kayla Williams
Mar 6, 2015
Kayla Williams talks about being a female soldier and the spouse of a wounded warrior, why veterans aren't broken and caregivers aren't saints, and more.
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Military Caregivers
commentary
Honoring America's Veterans Requires Helping Their Families, Too
Terri Tanielian
Nov 11, 2014
Family Studies
This Veterans Day, the United States especially honors the millions of veterans living with service-related illnesses and injuries. But it's also important to recognize the sacrifices of those helping them to recover and thrive: America's 5.5 million military caregivers.
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Military Veterans
blog
Research Drives Ongoing Support for Veterans
Nov 10, 2014
On November 11, we honor the service and sacrifices of America's veterans. But as they return home and adjust to civilian life, veterans and their families face new challenges and communities struggle to meet their unique needs. Rigorous research is essential to addressing these challenges and finding long-term solutions. RAND explores key issues concerning veterans such as employment, health and well-being, family support, and education.
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Caregivers
commentary
Meeting the Caregivers Challenge
Emily K. Chen, Jeffrey Wasserman
Aug 25, 2014
The RAND Blog
Ill or injured military personnel and veterans and people with dementia are unique populations, but they give us a preview of the enormous long-term care challenges Americans will face in the decades to come.
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Alzheimer's Disease and Dementias
commentary
Demographics Add Urgency for Action on Dementia Long-Term Care
Esther M. Friedman @friedmanEM
Jul 28, 2014
Modern Healthcare
Dementia takes a huge toll on those afflicted with it. But it also has major consequences for those who must care for them, most often family and friends.
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Caregivers
commentary
Parallel Caregiver Crises, Military and Civilian
Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich
Jul 9, 2014
The Hill
Among American caregivers, there are two expanding populations: those caring for military servicemembers struggling with physical or emotional wounds of war and those looking after people with dementia. Both face incalculable financial stresses and threats to their own health as a result of their caregiving roles.
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blog
Former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole Urges Graduates to Use Storytelling to Advance Policy
Jun 24, 2014
Facts and objective analysis are important, but for policy analysts to make a difference in the real world they also have to be able to tell a story, former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole said at the June 21 Pardee RAND Graduate School commencement.
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Military Families
blog
Ask Me Anything: Rajeev Ramchand on Military Caregivers
Jun 24, 2014
With military caregivers quickly becoming a topic of national discussion, RAND's Rajeev Ramchand hosted an
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Military Caregivers
commentary
One Military Caregiver's Story
Rachel O'Hern, Terri Tanielian
May 23, 2014
The RAND Blog
America shouldn't forget the sacrifices of those who care for the wounded. Rachel O'Hern tells the story of her life as a military caregiver, one of millions of spouses, family members, and friends who support service members and veterans with physical or emotional injuries or illnesses.
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Military Caregivers
commentary
Finding a New Normal: A Military Caregiver's Perspective
Kayla M. Williams
May 6, 2014
Blue Star Families
The landscape for caregivers remains very difficult. Many still need additional training on how to best provide care for their loved ones, respite so they can care for themselves, and other forms of support.
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Military Caregivers
commentary
Four Ways to Help Military Caregivers
Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Terri Tanielian
Apr 15, 2014
The RAND Blog
As momentum continues to build, stakeholders across the board should keep in mind four broad recommendations for how to help military caregivers.
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Military Caregivers
commentary
Military Caregivers Are Hidden Heroes
Elizabeth Dole, Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich
Apr 2, 2014
USA Today
Right now there are 5.5 million wives, husbands, siblings, parents, children and friends devoted to the care of those injured fighting America's wars. Theirs is an all-consuming, emotionally draining task, one that has been driven for too long by loyalty and love, but little support.
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Military Caregivers
commentary
A World Without America's Military Caregivers
Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Terri Tanielian
Mar 31, 2014
The RAND Blog
A world without military caregivers would be a harsher one for all, particularly for those who have served. Military caregivers' sacrifices improve the lives of wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans, more of whom would suffer without them.
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Military Caregivers
blog
Spotlight on America's Hidden Heroes: Military Caregivers
Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Terri Tanielian
Mar 24, 2014
Despite military caregivers' vital contributions, little is known about their numbers, the burden of caregiving that they shoulder, or the resources that exist to support them. To shed light on these
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blog
State of the Union 2014: President Obama Calls for a Year of Action
Jan 29, 2014
Obama called for “a year of action” to achieve his 2014 agenda — from helping people sign up for health insurance, to immigration reform, to completing the mission in Afghanistan. RAND is committed to raising the level of public policy debates and offering evidence-based, actionable solutions.
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Military Caregivers
commentary
They Also Serve: Understanding the Needs of Military Caregivers
Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Terri Tanielian
Nov 18, 2013
The RAND Blog
Military families play a critical role in supporting U.S. servicemembers during deployment and afterwards. Equally vital but often less visible is the role played by those who care for the servicemembers who return with disabling injuries or illnesses and require long-term support beyond what the formal health care system provides.
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Neurological Disorders
commentary
The Cost of Dementia: Who Will Pay?
Michael D. Hurd
May 1, 2013
The Health Care Blog
It is time for the government in partnership with industry to return to the drawing board to craft a plan that will provide protection for the more than 9 million people who will need care for dementia by 2040, writes Michael D. Hurd.
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Alzheimer's Disease and Dementias
commentary
Dementia's Growing Cost to Caregivers
Kathleen J. Mullen @KathleenJMullen
Apr 29, 2013
the RWJF's Human Capital Blog
At the rate that the U.S. population is aging, the total cost of dementia could reach half a trillion dollars a year by 2040. Those who care for impaired relatives and friends are acutely aware of the effects of dementia, and unfortunately they are all too familiar with its costs, writes Kathleen J. Mullen.
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Military Families
commentary
A National Strategy for Supporting Military Caregivers
Terri Tanielian, Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand
Mar 7, 2013
The RAND Blog
The act of caring for a veteran takes a physical, mental, and economic toll on caregivers and their families. Giving caregivers the skills and resources they need to cope and thrive should be as much a priority as giving veterans medical care.
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