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STATE LEGISLATION, POLICY & REPORTS
1. Hawaii: Several Bills Introduced to Support Family Caregivers
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/docs.asp?press1=docs
2. Illinois: ElderCare Options Act Would Require Comprehensive Assessment of All Older Adults Seeking Services
http://tinyurl.com/dxnnw
3. Mississippi: Bill Would Provide Adult Day Care Services to Low-Income Older Adults
http://www.mississippi.gov/frameset.jsp?URL=http://www.ls.state.ms.us/
4. Massachusetts: In-Home Mental Health Services Available to Older Adults
http://tinyurl.com/7waax
5. Idaho: Proposed Medicaid Plan Increases Respite for Family Caregivers
http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/site/3629/default.aspx
FEDERAL LEGISLATION, POLICY & REPORTS
6. U.S. Census Bureau Will Survey for Informal Caregiving
http://tinyurl.com/9pxfa
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
7. Australia: Funding for Cottage-Style Respite Care for Family Caregivers
http://tinyurl.com/a68gj
8. Australia: More Funding for Home Care Services and New Directory for Elderly and Disabled
http://tinyurl.com/adz7b
http://tinyurl.com/cgs2y
9. Aging Populations’ Effects on Informal and Formal Support Systems in Developing Countries
http://tinyurl.com/96e8m
RESEARCH REPORTS & JOURNAL ARTICLES
10. New Tutorial on Financing Long-Term Care
http://www.kaiseredu.org/tutorials_index.asp#Financing
11. Survey of Floridians Age 35+ on Long-Term Care Choices
http://www.aarp.org/research/longtermcare/resources/fl_ltc.html
12. Guidance for Caregivers Bathing Individuals with Dementia
http://tinyurl.com/aorn7
CONFERENCES & TRAININGS
13. World Parkinson Congress: February 22-26, 2006
http://www.worldpdcongress.org/
STATE LEGISLATION, POLICY & REPORTS
1. Hawaii: Several Bills Introduced to Support Family Caregivers
The Hawaii Senate and House have introduced several bills to provide additional support to family caregivers, whom the state estimates provides approximately $875 million in unpaid support services. The Comprehensive Family Caregiver Assistance bill (S.B. 2440) would appropriate $4 million for caregiver training and $1,000 annual grants to family caregivers. Related bills in the Senate and House (S.B. 2001 and H.B. 2107) would also create a program to offer annual grants to help support family caregivers. The Long-Term Care Resource Initiative bill (S.B. 2129) would establish and fund a resource project with community colleges to expand the long-term care workforce and provide care training to family caregivers. Another bill, S.B. 2130, would appropriate funds to the state’s Executive Office on Aging to coordinate support services and integrate family caregiver support with the Aging and Disability Resource Center demonstration project. To view the legislation, visit:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/docs.asp?press1=docs
2. Illinois: ElderCare Options Act Would Require Comprehensive Assessment of All Older Adults Seeking Services
Legislation introduced in Illinois (S.B. 2730) would initiate the first phase of the state’s plan to overhaul its long-term care system. The bill would require the Illinois Department on Aging to develop a common comprehensive assessment tool to use on all older adults seeking support services. The assessment would determine the level of functional, cognitive, socialization and financial needs of the older adult, and would allow for input from the older adult’s designated representative, such as a family caregiver, if necessary. The Department would also develop service plans with the older adult to coordinate formal and family resources to address support needs. To view the legislation, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/dxnnw
3. Mississippi: Bill Would Provide Adult Day Care Services to Low-Income Older Adults
The Mississippi legislature introduced a bill (S.B. 2674) to develop a program providing adult day care services to older adults and adults with disabilities whose income does not exceed 135 percent of the official poverty level. The program, intended to provide relief to family members and caregivers, would be separate from the state’s Medicaid program. To view the legislation, visit:
http://www.mississippi.gov/frameset.jsp?URL=http://www.ls.state.ms.us/
4. Massachusetts: In-Home Mental Health Services Available to Older Adults
Massachusetts is expanding its mental health and senior services to treat older adults in their homes. It is estimated that one in five seniors suffers from a mental disorder, and many are reluctant or unable to seek help within the community. The current program often relies on nurses, aides and caregivers to refer adults needing assistance. Through a federal grant, in-home counseling will be available to a greater number of seniors throughout the state so that these individuals can obtain the mental health support they need. For more information, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/7waax
5. Idaho: Proposed Medicaid Plan Increases Respite for Family Caregivers
An Idaho proposal to overhaul its Medicaid system received praise from the federal Medicaid Advisory Commission, a group whose goal is to identify reforms to stabilize and strengthen Medicaid. The state’s proposal, currently under review by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, includes a respite care program for family caregivers of older adults. To view the plan and learn more, visit:
http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/site/3629/default.aspx
http://tinyurl.com/9btqg
FEDERAL LEGISLATION, POLICY & REPORTS
6. U.S. Census Bureau Will Survey for Informal Caregiving
Beginning in February 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau will survey 45,000 randomly selected households to gauge the extent of informal caregiving. The households will remain in the Survey of Income and Program Participation, which tracks changes in the type of work people perform, through January 2008. Included in the survey will be the question “Do you provide regular unpaid care or assistance to a family member or friend who has a long-term illness or a disability?” For more information, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/9pxfa
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
7. Australia: Funding for Cottage-Style Respite Care for Family Caregivers
Australia announced $59 million in funding for cottage-style respite care for frail older adults so that family members have relief from their caregiving role. The cottages provide a safe, home-like environment for overnight respite. For more information, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/a68gj
8. Australia: More Funding for Home Care Services and New Directory for Elderly and Disabled
Australia announced an additional $23.7 million in funding for home care services for older adults and adults with disabilities. The funding will increase the number of meal deliveries by more than 55,000 and hours of nursing services by 30,000. The Australian government has also published a directory of services for older people, with topics such as work, health and aged care, and finances. The directory, with short descriptions of each service and telephone and web site contact information, will be distributed to more than 10,000 organizations that offer information or assistance to older adults. For more information, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/adz7b
http://tinyurl.com/cgs2y
9. Aging Populations’ Effects on Informal and Formal Support Systems in Developing Countries
The Population Reference Bureau, a nonprofit organization based in the United States that informs people around the world about population, health and the environment, has projected population changes in developing countries through 2050. In developing countries, populations are aging faster while fertility rates are declining more rapidly. These changes will put an even greater strain on informal support systems since older adults tend to rely heavily on family and friends for personal care and financial assistance. There will also be increased pressure on health care systems due to increased care demands for chronic health conditions. Among its recommendations, the report suggests increasing tax incentives for elder care, additional day care and home care services, and increased employment opportunities for older adults. For more information, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/96e8m
RESEARCH REPORTS & JOURNAL ARTICLES
10. New Tutorial on Financing Long-Term Care
The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured offers an informative tutorial on financing long-term care. It explains who uses long-term care, what services are provided, and how Medicare, Medicaid and the private sector fund this care. The tutorial states that family and friends provide roughly 78 percent of long-term care services. To view the tutorial, visit:
http://www.kaiseredu.org/tutorials_index.asp#Financing
11. Survey of Floridians Age 35+ on Long-Term Care Choices
A recent telephone survey of Florida residents age 35 and older was commissioned by AARP to determine residents’ opinions on long-term care and the Medicaid program. Results from the survey conclude that choice in how and where long-term care services are received is either extremely (51%) or very (39%) important to respondents. More than 75 percent of respondents want to have long-term care services provided at home with family and friends. In addition, staying at home as long as possible if they or a family member became ill or disabled and need long-term care services is either extremely (51%) or very (34%) important to respondents. For more information, visit:
http://www.aarp.org/research/longtermcare/resources/fl_ltc.html
12. Guidance for Caregivers Bathing Individuals with Dementia
The Bathing Without a Battle CD and video training package issued by The Commonwealth Fund draws upon evidence that caregivers can tailor techniques to alleviate the agitation that individuals with dementia may experience when being bathed. The materials include practical bathing methods for showering, bathing and hair washing of older adults with dementia, and discuss safe bathing equipment. For more information, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/aorn7
CONFERENCES & TRAININGS
13. World Parkinson Congress: February 22-26, 2006
The World Parkinson Congress will be held on February 22-26, 2006 in Washington D.C. The conference will feature workshops and plenary sessions devoted to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and the future of Parkinson disease research. The conference is intended for a wide audience, including health care professionals, patients and caregivers. For details on the conference, visit:
http://www.worldpdcongress.org/
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