More than three-fourths of the elderly needing assistance is cared for by family members, many of whom also work outside the home. What implications does this have for employers? What types of employer policies might be appropriate regarding those engaged in providing long-term care for a family member?

1. Discuss:  In what ways does assuring quality in the long-term care industry pose special challenges to regulators and consumers?
2. The value of informal long-term care provided by family members and friends is estimated at over $450 billion annually, more than double the national expenditures for skilled nursing and home care combined. Much of this cost would fall to government if it were not for this informal system. Would you support government assistance    for informal caregivers, through mechanisms such as tax reduction incentives, or subsidy for respite care? Why   or why not? If not, what alternative measures would you propose to help keep the informal system intact?
3. Shortages of health care personnel in the long-term care industry pose critical future challenges to the health care system. Review reasons for these shortages. Suggest government and institutional policy changes that might help attract more workers to this industry.

Use contemporary communication modalities effectively in advanced nursing roles

Recognizes that nursing practice, at the masters level, is broadly defined as any form of nursing intervention that influences healthcare outcomes for individuals, populations, or systems. Masters-level nursing graduates must have an advanced level of understanding of nursing and relevant sciences as well as the ability to integrate this knowledge into practice. Nursing practice interventions include both direct and indirect care components.

Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies
#5 Technology and Information Literacy Competencies

1. Integrates appropriate technologies for knowledge management to improve health care.
2. Translates technical and scientific health information appropriate for various users needs.
2a). Assesses the patients and caregivers educational needs to provide effective, personalized
health care.
2b). Coaches the patient and caregiver for positive behavioral change.
3. Demonstrates information literacy skills in complex decision making.
4. Contributes to the design of clinical information systems that promote safe, quality and cost effective
care.
5. Uses technology systems that capture data on variables for the evaluation of nursing care.