Formal long-term care networks. Forming a partnership with gerontological nurses.

Faced with overwhelming demands on their time, physical reserves, and emotional energy, contemporary families are depending more and more on formal networks to help them with their elder care responsibilities. In the past, these interactions worked in a somewhat complimentary fashion with each caregiver having identifiable roles and responsibilities. Now, reforms in health and human services are pushing and pulling families into complex caregiving partnerships. These situations have the very real potential for creating stress, strain, tension and conflict among caregivers, as well as opportunities for thriving partnerships in care.