Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral (TCARE)

Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral (TCARE) is a care management protocol designed to support family members who are providing care to adults, of any age, with chronic or acute health conditions. TCARE is grounded in the Caregiver Identity Theory, which conceptualizes caregiving as a series of transitions that result from changes in the caregiving context and in personal norms that are grounded in familial roles and culture. A major tenet of the theory is that identity discrepancy, defined as a disparity between a caregiver’s behavior and his or her identity standards, or personal norms, is a major source of caregiver stress. Identity discrepancy can be manifested in three domains of burden (objective burden, relationship burden, and stress burden) and in depression.

TCARE supports Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) by strengthening agencies' abilities to support family caregivers through its Evidence-Based software and protocol.

For caregivers who completed the 6 month follow-up, 84% reported improved levels of stress and depression. For caregivers who completed 12 month follow-up, they reported statistically significant lower levels of stress and depression than they did at the time of enrollment. Caregivers who were supported by TCARE for a year period were able to maintain their health and improve their emotional and mental health while providing more assistance to care recipients who experienced a decline in functional abilities.