ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with some background information on the extent of lay caregiving in the nation, research on caregivers and caregiver needs. It provides information on social support and applied interventions. The chapter addresses conflicting findings and directions for future research. Social support needs and deficits are crucial concerns for us all. While tailored interventions yield significant improvement in caregiver and patient outcomes, today's caregiver support interventions are provided to caregivers in a standardized format rather than customized to meet their specific needs. The underlying assumption within this research approach is that social support improves health outcomes, thus increased social support results in better health. The goal of the study was to test the hypotheses that social support influences loneliness, that loneliness influences perceived stress and health behaviors, and all of these variables ultimately influence general health.
