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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. Alaska posts results of Medicaid waiver survey
The Alaska Department of Senior and Disability Services has made available results from a survey of older adults and persons with physical disabilities receiving services through the state's Medicaid home and community-based waiver. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate client satisfaction with services, including respite care, care coordination, adult day services and personal attendant care. Several questions address how service availability and satisfaction affect families caring for a loved one in this program. Read:
http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dsds/docs/QAConsumerSurveyReport8-22-03.pdf
2. California grant to analyze family caregivers in the workforce
The Better Jobs Better Care Applied Research and Evaluation Grant program has awarded funds to the UCLA School of Public Policy for plans to analyze labor force expansion through retention of family caregivers in California's In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. The project will compare the characteristics and attitudes of relative workers who stay in the field to those who leave the field after the client dies, enters a nursing home or loses eligibility for IHSS. The findings will be used to craft policy and program recommendations for attracting and keeping relative workers in long-term care employment. Details: http://www.bjbc.org/page.asp?pgID=79#UCLA
3. Illinois to revamp LTC, HCBS services
According to an October 8, 2003 article appearing in the Chicago Sun-Times, Illinois is looking to revamp the state's long-term care system. In a recent meeting with state lawmakers, advocates in the state are focusing on several issues, including increased utilization and availability of home and community-based services and increased care coordination efforts. Read the article:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-nursing08.html
4. Washington to fund training for family caregivers
Washington State has announced the availability of funding in the form of "mini-grants" to provide training for unpaid family and informal caregivers. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will award the funds to organizations teaching practical skills to caregivers; raising community awareness of caregiving; and providing education about resources and informal supports. More info: http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/mediloop_files/news/2003/10-1-2003.htm
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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5. CMS awards Systems Change grants
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded $33 million for Systems Change grants for Fiscal Year 2003. The grants are funded under the New Freedom Initiative, part of a plan to rebalance the long-term care system in favor of increased home and community-based options. Grants will fund programs focusing on respite care; quality improvements in HCBS services; and family-to-family health care and information centers. Details: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20031002a.html
6. CMS report on "Money Follows the Person"
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released "Money Follows the Person and Balancing Long-Term Care Systems: State Examples." The report includes state-specific initiatives to reduce institutional long-term care while increasing home and community-based options. Download:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/promisingpractices/mfp92903.pdf
7. AoA awards funds to help consumers and families
The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) has awarded over $3.5 million in grants to increase access to services and programs and enhance consumer assistance for older Americans. The grants will fund an expansion of the Eldercare Locator service; a new Alzheimer's National Call Center; and Native American Resource Centers. More details: http://www.aoa.gov/press/pr/2003/10_Oct/aoa_10_09_03.asp
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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8. "Promising Practices in the Field of Caregiving"
The U.S. Administration on Aging has released this report which provides a summary of the 29 National Innovation Programs and 11 Projects of National Significance funded through the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). Read: http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/careprof/nfcsp_projects/nfcsp_projects.asp
9. Report on care coordination
"Coordinating Care for the Chronically Ill: How Do We Get There From Here?" was prepared by the National Academy for State Health Policy on behalf of the Partnership for Solutions at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. The report explores key aspects and results of innovative chronic care programs in six states. It also identifies important issues states must consider as they begin to implement such programs and to create important links between medical care, long-term care and supportive-services systems. Full text available: http://www.ltci.ucla.edu/libraryitem.php?ItemId=578
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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10. Care for the caregivers
The October 2003 edition of the Journal of Pain Symptom Management includes "Care for the Caregivers: A Review of Self-Report Instruments Developed to Measure the Burden, Needs, and Quality of Life of Informal Caregivers." According to the authors, "After an extensive literature search and review, and utilizing specific inclusion criteria, 28 instruments were identified and evaluated in terms of their development, content, and psychometric properties. In addition, a history of the construct and measurement development in the areas of caregiver burden, needs, and quality of life are discussed. Although some further development and refinement of instruments could benefit the field, depending on the questions researchers or clinicians seek to pursue, there are many proven tools available for their use. Future research needs to use these instruments to assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving the care of the caregivers." Journal information: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jpainsymman
11. Caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's
A new study in the October 2, 2003 edition of the Journal of the American Geriatric Society analyzes the relationship between a caregiver's assessment of the quality of life of a person with Alzheimer's disease and the utilization of Alzheimer's medications. According to an October 3, 2003 press release announcing study results in "Why Would Caregivers Not Want to Treat Their Relative's Alzheimer's Disease", the authors find that "managing the health of the caregiver is an integral part to treating a patient with Alzheimer's disease. When you have one person with Alzheimer's disease, you have at least two people to take care of." Read the abstract:
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/rd.asp?code=JGS&goto=journal
CONFERENCES, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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12. AARP forum on long-term care
AARP will sponsor the "International Forum on Long-Term Care" on October 22, 2003. The forum will be held from 8:00 am - 1:30 pm at the Hyatt Regency, Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Ave. N.W.). Health ministers and other experts from Australia, New Zealand, Germany, The Netherlands and Japan will discuss international approaches to health care financing and delivery. The event will also feature a special preview of preliminary findings of 15-country report on health care. Event details: http://www.aarp.org/international-events/Articles/a2003-09-02-longtermcare.html
13. Aging, disability and independence conference
The American Society on Aging will sponsor the "International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence," in Washington, DC from December 4-6, 2003. The event will look at cutting-edge high-technology and tele-health interventions for elders whose independence is compromised by disability and chronic health conditions. Session tracks include business perspectives, home modification, injury prevention and transportation. Conference details: http://www.asaging.org/icadi/03/index.cfm
14. October is "Work and Family Month"
Congress has declared October National Work and Family Month, through a bipartisan resolution (S. Res. 210). The resolution recognizes many of the challenges that families face as they attempt to balance work with caring for other family members that need may need assistance and support. More information: http://www.theprogressfund.org
15. Take Care Net forum on Capitol Hill
Take Care Net, will hold a kick-off forum on October 31, 2003 from 11:00-2:00 pm in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 430, Washington D.C. Take Care Net has identified several legislative objectives, including enhancing supports for family caregivers; expanding family and medical leave policies; and recruitment/retention of the paraprofessional workforce. Participants include Julianne Malveaux, Robert Drago, Karen Kornbluh, Ellen Bravo, Karen Nussbaum, Bernadette Fusaro, Judith Lichtman, and staff from Senator Kennedy's office. Details: http://www.takecarenet.org/
16. Caregiver resource library materials available
Healing Arts Communications has released six new caregiver resource library groups. The collections focus on Alzheimer's disease, Spanish-language, essential caregiving skills, and communications and safety issues. Available books include: Quick Tips for Caregivers; Daily Comforts for Caregivers; A Family Caregiver's Guide to Planning and Decision Making for the Elderly; and The Caregiver Helpbook. More information: http://www.homecarecompanion.com/package5.html
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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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