4.1. Finite Formal Care—Inexhaustible Familial Care. Study
findings revealed that the resource allocation by the formal
sector depended heavily on families and friends to provide
the bulk of care and assistance to persons with dementia, and
only as a last resort, were formal care resources utilized to
supplement this care. The notion of formal care resources as
scarce commodities produced, by default, a view that familial
care resources were abundant. Furthermore, the need for
formal care assistance tended to be based on the assumption
that family members were not only capable, but (ought to be)
willing to provide care to members with dementia. Although
all study participants addressed this “unspoken” reality that
families provided the necessary care first and foremost, case
managers were positioned to actively cultivate the availability
of familial care resources. As one case manager explained: