Cost Benefits of Family Caregiver Support Programs

More research is needed to demonstrate the cost benefits of family caregiver support programs. Supporting family caregivers can reduce undesirable placements in institutional settings, prevent avoidable hospitalizations, improve care coordination, and enhance the overall health and wellbeing of individuals with disabilities. However, the research on cost benefits is very limited. Particularly as more states move to managed care, we need evidence of the cost benefits to the broader health system to make the business case for family support programs.