VA Gives $4.7 Million to Help Caregivers
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide nearly $4.7 million for “caregiver assistance pilot programs” to expand and improve health care education and provide needed training and resources for caregivers who assist disabled and aging veterans in their homes. The pilot programs will support eight caregiver projects across the country. Among the key services provided to caregivers are transportation, respite care, case management and service coordination, assistance with personal care (bathing and grooming), social and emotional support, and home safety evaluations.
Education programs teach caregivers how to obtain community resources such as legal assistance, financial support, housing assistance, home delivered meals and spiritual support. In addition, caregivers are taught skills such as time management techniques, medication management, communication skills with the medical staff and the veteran, and ways to take better care of themselves. The VA pilot programs include:
At the Memphis (Tenn.) and Palo Alto (Calif.) VA medical centers, a project will provide education, support and skills-building to help caregivers manage both patient behaviors and their own stress. This intervention will be provided in 14 Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs across the country and also to caregivers in non-HBPC settings at the Palo Alto VAMC.
At the VA medical center in Gainesville, Fla., caregivers will take part in a Transition Assistance Program to provide skills training, education and supportive problem solving using videophone technology.
At the VA Healthcare System of Ohio, headquartered in Cincinnati, caregiver advocates will be available around the clock to coordinate between VA and community services.
At the VA Desert Pacific Network and the VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare System, VA will work with a community coalition to provide education, skills training and resources for caregivers of veterans with traumatic brain injury using computer-based telehealth, including Web, telephone and videoconferencing.
At the VA medical center in Albany, N.Y., a pilot project will convert a three-hour workshop developed by the National Family Caregivers Association called “Communicating Effectively with Health Care Professionals” into a cost-effective multimedia format.
At the Atlanta VA Medical Center, use of computer-based technology will provide instrumental help and emotional support to caregivers who live in remote areas or to those who cannot leave a patient alone.
The Tampa VA Medical Center and the Miami VA Healthcare System are working on a collaborative project. In the Tampa area, the current program will be expanded to provide 24-hour in-home respite care to temporarily relieve caregivers up to 14 days a year. In Miami, the program will coordinate comprehensive community-based care services, including respite, home companions, adult day care and use of emergency response system.
The VA Pacific Islands Health Care System will use the “medical foster home” model of care, in which caregivers in the community take veterans into their homes and provide 24-hour supervision. This program will take place on the islands of Kauai, Hawaii, Maui and rural areas of Oahu.
For more information, visit the Department of Veteran Affairs website.
Comments
takandles
3 days agoSuggest Removal
My father gets Aid in Dependent Care from the VA which is a big financial help. I do not work to take care of him so some of that money is suppose to be to pay me. the down side is that if I want to hire someone for respite care it comes out of my part which I need to support myself. I only get to go to the store when one of my children can come sit with him. I have not gone anyplace else in years. There needs to be more respite care for the caregivers with little or no income such as me. Here in the state of Alabama there isn' much. You have to have no or very little to get help or be rich enough to afford it. What we get from the VA it a big help but not enough.
Temporary relief from the stress and duties of caregiving.
mbsmarttext('Respite Care','bbf852d1-7af3-483e-a7b3-1067f001bd53');
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Consumer Nursing Home Data
Massachusetts
The state provides consumer information on nursing homes, including a tool that lets you search for nursing homes by city or facility name to see scores and any deficiencies and enforcement actions from the last three standard surveys. You also can compare and evaluate nursing homes by their performance in five areas—administration, nursing, resident rights, kitchen/food services and environment. You can also see how each facility compares based on a Nursing Home Satisfaction Survey.
For more information, contact the state Department of Public Health's Division of Health Care Quality at (617) 753-8000, or the Massachusetts Long-Term Care Ombudsman or call (617) 727-7750. To find a local ombudsman, call 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636).
The state provides consumer information on nursing homes, including a tool that lets you search for nursing homes by city or facility name to see scores and any deficiencies and enforcement actions from the last three standard surveys. You also can compare and evaluate nursing homes by their performance in five areas—administration, nursing, resident rights, kitchen/food services and environment. You can also see how each facility compares based on a Nursing Home Satisfaction Survey.
For more information, contact the state Department of Public Health's Division of Health Care Quality at (617) 753-8000, or the Massachusetts Long-Term Care Ombudsman or call (617) 727-7750. To find a local ombudsman, call 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636).
Sunday, February 17, 2008
National Resourses for Caregivers
National Resources
Eldercare Locator Operated by the U.S. Administration on Aging, this is a nationwide directory of state and area agencies that deal with services for the aging. There's also a toll-free number -- 1-800-677-1116 -- which operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern time.
BenefitsCheckUp Operated by the National Council on the Aging, this Web-based service identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans in each community. You must fill out a short questionnaire which is used only to determine which programs an older person qualifies for.
Children of Aging Parents Establishes support groups, information and referral services and educational outreach for family caregivers.
National Alliance for Caregiving A joint venture of several private and governmental agencies, the alliance Web site provides useful information and links for CareGivers.
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers Care managers are professionals who coordinate caregiving services. They can be helpful when family members are not able to play an active role.
Disease-Specific Information Information about specific diseases and conditions likely to require continuing care.
Eldercare Locator Operated by the U.S. Administration on Aging, this is a nationwide directory of state and area agencies that deal with services for the aging. There's also a toll-free number -- 1-800-677-1116 -- which operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern time.
BenefitsCheckUp Operated by the National Council on the Aging, this Web-based service identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans in each community. You must fill out a short questionnaire which is used only to determine which programs an older person qualifies for.
Children of Aging Parents Establishes support groups, information and referral services and educational outreach for family caregivers.
National Alliance for Caregiving A joint venture of several private and governmental agencies, the alliance Web site provides useful information and links for CareGivers.
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers Care managers are professionals who coordinate caregiving services. They can be helpful when family members are not able to play an active role.
Disease-Specific Information Information about specific diseases and conditions likely to require continuing care.
Hospice Care
Hospice Services
Hospice care is dedicated to providing a dignified, pain-free death. In most cases, care is provided in the patient's home with the participation of family members. Support is extended to the patient' s loved ones, as well.
Hospice care is dedicated to providing a dignified, pain-free death. In most cases, care is provided in the patient's home with the participation of family members. Support is extended to the patient' s loved ones, as well.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Assisted Living Program Overview
The Office of Elder Affairs certifies Assisted Living Residences in Massachusetts and offers the Assisted Living Ombudsman Program to provide advocacy, information and complaint resolution to consumers.
One of the most rapidly growing forms of residential long-term care in Massachusetts is Assisted Living. Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) offer a combination of housing, meals and personal care services to adults on a rental basis. Assisted living residences are not the same as licensed nursing facilities; ALRs do not provide medical or nursing services. They are not designed for people who need serious medical care.
Instead, assisted living is intended for adults who may need some help with activities such as housecleaning, meals, bathing, dressing and/or medication reminders and who would like the security of having assistance available on a 24 hour basis in a residential and non-institutional environment. The underlying philosophy of assisted living is based on providing needed services to residents in a way that enhances their autonomy, privacy and individuality. Residents have the right to make choices in all aspects of their lives.
The Office of Elder Affairs certifies Assisted Living Residences in Massachusetts and offers the Assisted Living Ombudsman Program to provide advocacy, information and complaint resolution to consumers.
One of the most rapidly growing forms of residential long-term care in Massachusetts is Assisted Living. Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) offer a combination of housing, meals and personal care services to adults on a rental basis. Assisted living residences are not the same as licensed nursing facilities; ALRs do not provide medical or nursing services. They are not designed for people who need serious medical care.
Instead, assisted living is intended for adults who may need some help with activities such as housecleaning, meals, bathing, dressing and/or medication reminders and who would like the security of having assistance available on a 24 hour basis in a residential and non-institutional environment. The underlying philosophy of assisted living is based on providing needed services to residents in a way that enhances their autonomy, privacy and individuality. Residents have the right to make choices in all aspects of their lives.
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