Meeting the Needs of Male Caregivers by Increasing Access to Accountable Care Organizations

As the population of male caregivers continues to grow over time, they have become more visible to the service system. However, as the vast majority of supports serve female caregivers, it is important to bring men “inside” of the service system. Following a review of the male caregiver experience, this commentary discusses how Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, is one way that men can be brought into and access the service system. Although male caregivers are the focus of this paper, the recommendations suggested are useful for professionals working with all caregivers regardless of gender. Discussion includes a rationale as to why ACOs are a unique service that are currently being developed that provides a window of opportunity for health professionals to meet caregiver needs in new ways. This would include the evaluation of and addressing male caregiver psychosocial and support needs at the time of addressing care receivers’ medical needs.