Family Caregivers Support Agreement (FCSA) training Kit (PDF)

Description

Family Caregivers Support Agreement (FCSA) training Kit (PDF): Abstract

The goal of the Family Caregivers Support Agreement (FCSA) training Kit (PDF) is to assess the support needs for caregivers of an aging relative at home, and to put in place a support and services plan to meet them. The term “agreement” refers to the concept of a partnership where the active participation of caregivers is sought out to complete the tool together with service providers who assist them with the process.

The tool is intended for healthcare professionals who, regardless of their professional affiliation, come into contact with caregivers, namely the family caregivers of aging relatives with functional or cognitive impairment. The FCSA is intended for all caregivers, whether they are in the early stage of their caregiving role or have been providing care to their aging relatives for many years.

The training kit aims to:

• Assess the support needs for caregivers of an aging relative at home
• To put in place a support and services plan to meet them

Objectives

Innovative and distinctive, the FCSA emphasizes partnership between caregivers and stakeholders considered co- experts to arrive at a common understanding so that the support offered meets the expectations and needs of caregivers . The FCSA provides flexibility and openness with the necessary space for caregivers so that they are heard.

Since assessing their needs is an essential first step to offering support, the FCSA is a Canadian adaptation of a tool currently used in several municipalities in Sweden (Carers Outcome Agreement Tool, Hanson et al., 2006).

There are four dimensions to the FCSA covering the essential support needs that should be met in order to improve the quality of life of caregivers:

• Helping You Care for Your Relative
• Making Life Better for Your Relative
• Making Life Better for You
• Getting Quality Help

For who?

Healthcare professionals who, regardless of their professional affiliation, come into contact with caregivers, namely the family caregivers of aging relatives with functional or cognitive impairment.

Included

• FCSA tool (PDF, 862 kb)
• FCSA tool for NCR printing (PDF, 128 kb)
• Description and Application Guide that will give healthcare professionals a better understanding of the underlying approach used and thereby promote the development of the skills required to use it (859 kb)

Additional information

Also available in French.

You may also download the freely available leaflet Helping families/Venir en aide aux familles