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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. Connecticut to delay home care changes
According to a September 29, 2003 article in the Concord Monitor, state officials are delaying plans to alter home and community-based services under the state's Medicaid program. The state had originally planned to develop a waiting list for older people seeking services, but will now review costs and services to determine the next best course of action. Read the article: http://www.cmonitor.com/stories/news/state2003/092903_home_care_2003.shtml
2. Florida to implement Alzheimer's Medicaid waiver
In a fiscal year 2003-2004 legislative briefing, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration provided details on a proposed Alzheimer's Medicaid Home and Community-Based waiver. Among other services, the waiver would include services targeted to family caregivers to assist them in providing in-home care. The brief also provides details on the continuation of a program to provide adult day health services to eligible participants and increasing resources in home and community-based care. Download (click on "recent presentations"): http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/Medicaid/deputy_secretary/
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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3. AoA materials for caregivers month
November is National Family Caregivers Month and the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) has provided graphics, materials, and suggestions for activities on its website. Materials and more information available: http://www.aoa.gov/press/oam/May_2003/Materials_Downloads.asp
4. Aging and Disability Resource Center grant awards made
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Administration on Aging have joined forces to award grants that would provide states with an opportunity to integrate long-term support resources for consumers into a single coordinated system. Grants totaling $9.3 million were awarded to support state efforts to create the "one stop shop" centers, which would help consumers and families access long-term supports, including home and community-based services. Details: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20030922a.html
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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5. NASUA report on state family caregiver support programs
The National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) has released "The Aging Network Implements The National Family Caregiver Support Program." The report provides the aging network and others information to assist in integrating family caregiver programs into other home and community-based services, and it highlights the importance of meeting family caregivers needs as states address long-term care planning. Read: http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/caregiver.asp
6. AARP report on grandparents raising grandchildren
"Lean on Me: Support and Minority Outreach for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" is now available from AARP. The report addresses the unique issues that this group of caregivers face, including the financial, legal, health (both physical and mental) housing, education, respite care, child-rearing discipline, rules, boundaries, family communication and relationships, special needs of grandchildren and social isolation. Download: http://research.aarp.org/general/gp_2003.html
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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7. Family caregivers of persons with depression
The December 2003 edition of Issues in Mental Health Nursing includes "Mental Health Nurses' Work with Family Caregivers of Older People with Depression: Review of the Literature." According to the author, the purpose of the article is "to paint a picture of family caregiving in the mental health arena, identify important roles that community mental health nurses play in this context, and address the significant gaps in the knowledge and nursing practice regarding community mental health nurses' work with families of older patients suffering from depression." Details: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/01612840.html
8. "Caregiving for Women with Advanced Breast Cancer"
The October 2003 edition of the Journal of Psycho-Oncology includes this article addressing the psychosocial impacts of caregiving for women with breast cancer. According to the authors, "Caregivers assume great responsibility for providing care, particularly during the terminal phase. Caregiving becomes more complex with each additional life role of the caregiver. [Spousal Caregivers] have two advantages: (1) living with the patient facilitates caregiving and (2) patterns of decision making that were established previous to the illness facilitated shared decision making between the patient and spouse caregiver." Read the abstract: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/104533678/ABSTRACT
9. Articles in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society
The October 2003 edition of the Journal of the American Geriatric Society includes several articles that address caregiver issues. They include: "Training Caregivers to Change the Sleep Hygiene Practices of Patients with Dementia: The NITE-AD Project"; "Prognosis Communication in Serious Illness: Perceptions of Older Patients, Caregivers, and Clinicians"; and "Why Would Caregivers Not Want to Treat Their Relative's Alzheimer's Disease?". Abstracts and journal information available: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/rd.asp?code=JGS&goto=journal
CONFERENCES, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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10. FCA launches new website
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) has launched an updated version of the agency's award-winning website. Along with an updated look, the redesigned site offers better navigation, expanded coverage of national public policy issues and the full text of new FCA publications, which include monographs on: "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Issues and Family Caregiving"; "Practical Skills Training for Family Caregivers"; and "WorkPlace Programs for Family Caregivers: Good Business and Good Practice". View the new site: http://www.caregiver.org
11. Palliative Care conference
"The Challenges of Palliative Care" conference will be held on October 20 - 22, 2003 in Madison, Wisconsin. Sessions will address the role of families in palliative care and advanced care planning. Details: http://www.cancer.wisc.edu/clinician/palliative/framepalliative03.html
12. GSA conference in San Diego
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) will hold their annual conference in San Diego from November 21 - 25, 2003. The conference will include a variety of sessions addressing family and informal caregiving issues, including presentations made by Family Caregiver Alliance staff. Continuing education credits will also be available. Conference details: http://www.geron.org
13. Video library provides resources to family caregiver
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has developed a video library including those that may be of interest to family caregivers and professionals that work with families caring for a loved one. Topics range from helpful tips on how to assist a loved one with brushing their teeth, to preventing caregiver burnout for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease. The videos are available for rental or purchase. Details: http://www.videopress.org
14. Online workshop: "Eldercare and Technology Matters"
The Gerontology Center at Boston University will offer an online workshop targeting professionals working with older people. "Eldercare and Technology Matters" begins on October 8, 2003 and lasts four weeks. Continuing education units are available. Details available by email ([email protected]) or on the center's website: http://www.bu.edu/gerontology/eldercare.htm
15. Eldercare article in HR Magazine
A September 2003 article in HR Magazine addressing eldercare and the workforce is now available online. The article highlights many of the common challenges faced by working caregivers, and also provides details on ways that employers can assist working caregivers. Typical services that employers provide include elder care referral services, elder care leave, financial assistance for in-home care costs, counseling and flexible work schedules. Read: http://www.shrm.org/hrmagazine/articles/0903/0903shea.asp
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For questions or further information about Family Caregiver Alliance's National Center on Caregiving, contact us at [email protected].
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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.
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