Towards Common Policies in Support of Family Caregivers: The EURO FAMCARE Project.

The European Community provided a five year grant for the study of family caregiving patterns and supports and services provided to family caregivers across 23 countries in the European Union. The final report of the research was issued in June, 2005 and a conference with representatives from all 23 countries was held in November 2005. Six countries, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Greece, Bulgaria, and Spain, were chosen for indepth analysis based on interviews with 1000 caregivers in each country. These countries represent geographically and culturally Northern, Southern, and Eastern Europe. For the larger sample of 23 countries, the analysis consisted of analyzing social policies and secondary data as well as the use of focus groups.The paper will summarize the major empirical findings and conclude with some of the steps being taken to establish recognition by the European Community of the entitlements of family caregivers,, where caring is recognized as work and offers the same benefits, rights and working conditions enjoyed by other workers. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]