Home-based caregivers in Africa: alliance building, advocacy and policy environments.

Home-based caregiving in Africa was examined in the context of the work of the Home-Based Care Alliance, first launched in 2005 to provide support and advocacy for approximately 30,000 caregivers. A review of ten countries in Africa shows that caregivers were either not included, or only selectively included in government programs. With respect to caregiver advocacy, additional resources, recognition and increased involvement in decision-making were the primary identified concerns. Increased health systems capacity for AIDS management, new regulation, innovative collaborations, decentralization, task-shifting, and caregiver burnout are among the trends identified in the broader policy environment impacting caregivers.