Increasing disability, coupled with reduced financial and emotional family resources, raises the difficult question of institutionalization as a solution to long term-care needs. It is quite clear that the social and economic circumstances of dependent persons and their family carers may seriously affect their ability to actively participate in solving their problems and remaining autonomous and independent. That report, along with the functional specification of the database constitute the basis for the multimedia information database and manual which is now being developed. During this process, several groups of users are being consulted in each partner country, so that even complex data about financial and economic aspects can be displayed and presented in a clear and understandable manner. From the perspective of the family carers and care recipients, the question of utility is of vital importance.
Technical applications have to be of service to people and guided by their expressed needs.
The caring role may be made easier if carers know where to get information from, have access to educational and training programmes to improve skills, and have the opportunity for regular contact with formal carers, as well as family members and friends. By development and implementation of information and communication technology the confidence and competence in the family care setting can increase and the nursing and social service work can be further developed. Besides that, an opportunity and challenge to increase the quality of life for the disabled and elderly and their family carers is provided. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. An Analysis of Coping in a Middle Aged Community Sample.