GÉNERO Y EVALUACIÓN DE PROGRAMAS DE APOYO PARA CUIDADORAS/ES DE MAYORES.

In Spain, the programs coverage level aimed at older people caregivers, mainly women, does not reach the appropriate level, evidence that manifests itself in multiple ways. For example, the compatibility of care and paid work, essential for many caregivers, would be possible if appropriate support measures were taken. In this context, the objective of this work is to investigate differents aspects of the programs-ownership, type and contents, beneficiaries of the program, design and impact-aimed at older people caregivers in order to establish potential improvements or new versions. The methodology followed in the evaluation of these programs is based on a qualitative analysis (through 13 in-depth interviews with experts, and 7 discussion groups for caregivers, N = 65) and quantitative (through a questionnaire to responsible for programs, N = 338), at the national level. The responses of those responsible for the programs and the speeches of the caregivers coincide in pointing out the positive consequences of these supports on the quality of life of caregivers and the older people. However, serious shortcomings persist that prevent optimum compliance with the objectives for which they were designed. The article focuses on the analysis of programs with emphasis on the gender perspective to apply both to the field of care for the elderly and to the quality of life of carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]