|
©Family Caregiver Alliance
STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
******************************************
1. Florida lifespan bill doesn't pass Senate
A bill to create a lifespan respite program (S. 2664) was not acted upon by the Florida Senate before theyadjourned for the year. S. 2664 was in the Health, Aging, and Long-Term Care committee. In addition tocreating the lifespan respite program, the bill would have created a relative caregiver program and providedfor education and training. Details: http://www.flsenate.gov/
2. Georgia priorities for 2004 include HCBS services
The Georgia Council on the Aging has identified several legislative priorities for the 2004 session. Included in the list is adequate funding for the Community Care Services Program, which provides Medicaid and non-Medicaid eligible persons with home and community-based supports necessary to remain in the community. The program provides services to caregivers, including respite care. More details: http://www.gcoa.org/fact/fifth.htm
3. NCSL report on caregiver legislation in the states
The National Conference of State Legislatures has made available details on caregiving-related bills in state legislatures. The online publication covers measures from 2001 to July, 2003. For the 2003 session, NCSL outlines initiatives in six states that have been enacted into law, and six other states where bills have been approved by at least one chamber. View: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/ss3longcare.htm
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
*******************************************
4. Federal bill to address rebalancing
The Money Follows the Person Act (S. 1394) has been introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). The legislation would lend support to the push towards "rebalancing" the long-term care system by providing Medicaid home and community-based services to individuals transitioning from an institution to the community. It is similar to a proposal offered by the Bush administration. More info on S. 1394: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html
5. AoA town hall in North Carolina
One in a series of U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) Town Hall Listening Sessions, "A Caring America: Choices for Independence" will be held September 12, 2003 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.in Charlotte, North Carolina in conjunction with the North Carolina Conference on Aging. The aim of the series is to hear from older people, their families and caregivers, and members of the Aging Services Network on ways to build upon the initial success of the National Family Caregiver Support Program and expand access to information, make services more consumer-friendly and allow caregivers more choices. Details: http://www.aoa.gov/press/town_hall_meetings/thm.asp
RESEARCH & REPORTS
*******************************************
6. Study examines caregivers' utilization of internet resources
A recent study by the Pew Research Center highlights the role of the internet for family and informal caregivers. Researchers found that six million home caregivers go online and, when looking for health information, tend to focus on issues related to treatments, procedures or drugs. The research was conducted as part of the Pew's "Internet and American Life Project." Read the full report: http://www.pewinternet.org/reports/toc.asp?Report=95
7. Report on disability policy
The National Council on Disability has released their annual report, "National Disability Policy: A Progress Report." The report includes a section on long-term care services and supports--including home and community-based services--necessary to fully implement the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. Download: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/progressreport_final.html
JOURNAL ARTICLES
*******************************************
8. Online support for Alzheimer's caregivers
The latest issue of NeuroRehabilitation (Volume 28, Issue 2) includes "Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Online: Lessons learned, initial findings and future direction." The article addresses, "the development and implementation of Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Online, a Web- and telephone-based education and support network for caregivers of individuals with progressive dementia." Details on ordering a sample copy of the journal: http://www.iospress.nl/site/html/10538135.html
9. Caregivers and driving
"Getting involved when a caregiver is unfit to drive" is included in the July 2003 edition of Home Health Care Nurse. The article addresses the issues that home care nurses encounter with elderly caregivers whose ability to drive is questionable. Read the abstract: http://www.homehealthcarenurseonline.com/
10. Caregivers' sleep loss and depression
The August 2003 edition of Cancer Nursing includes this results from a pilot study describing caregiver sleep and depression patterns. In "Family caregivers' sleep and depression patterns over time" researchers concluded that "accurate assessment and treatment of caregiver problems require repeated assessments." The study also found that "self-reports of sleep and depression appear to underestimate problems and must be evaluated carefully within this context." View the abstract: http://www.cancernursingonline.com/
CONFERENCES, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
*******************************************
11. Grants to aid workforce recruitment and retention issues
Under a national grant program sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Atlantic Philanthropies, 5 state-based coalitions have won grants to carry out projects to improve long-term care workforce recruitment and retention. The project, Better Jobs, Better Care, aims to develop effective ways of finding and keeping quality direct care workers to serve elderly people with chronic diseases or disabilities. Grantees will study workplace and public policy interventions aimed at improving recruitment and retention. More details: http://directcare.c.tclk.net/maabgCBaaZgKha9Rs4me/
12. Respite manual and upcoming respite conference
The ARCH National Respite Network has made available a 258-page respite manual that includes step-by-step instructions on how to begin a respite care program. The book includes information on needs assessment; the planning process; program models; budget; collaboration; marketing; funding; administrative policies and procedures; staffing; daily operations; and evaluation. In addition to the manual, ARCH will host the 4th International Respite Conference from September 16 - 19, 2003 in Orlando, Florida. To order the manual or get details on the conference: http://www.archrespite.org/
13. Resource on palliative care and caregiving
The National Alliance for Caregiving and Friends and Relatives of Institutionalized Aged (FRIA) have developed "Palliative Care: Complete Care Everyone Deserves." This 16-page booklet aims to help family caregivers advocate for palliative care on behalf of relatives in long term care settings. Also included is a section which addresses ways that families can work with long term care facilities such as nursing homes, to ensure that their loved ones receive necessary palliative care. Download: http://www.caregiving.org/care.pdf
14. Technology and caregiving conference
The SPRY (Setting Priorities for Retirement Years) Foundation National Conference, "Computer-based Technology and Caregiving for Older Adults," will be held October 2 -3, 2003 in Bethesda, MD. The purpose of the conference is to increase awareness among family caregivers of the ability of computer-based technology to assist in the care of older persons. The conference will include details on consumer information and education; delivery and coordination of services, including patient monitoring and compliance; and personal health records and medical information. Family Caregiver Alliance is a cosponsor of the conference. Conference details: http://www.spry.org/special_events/special_events.html
*******************************************
For questions or further information about Family Caregiver Alliance's National Center on Caregiving, contact us at [email protected].
To subscribe or unsubscribe to Caregiving PolicyDigest, click here.
Your subscription information is used only for the purpose of improving this service and tailoring it to the needs of its audience. Information provided to us will not be shared with any other organization, agency, corporation, entity or third-party.
Caregiving PolicyDigest is a publication of the National Center on Caregiving, a program of Family Caregiver Alliance. The Digest is funded by the Archstone Foundation.
©2003 Family Caregiver Alliance
E-mail to a Friend
Printable Version
|
