From Left to Right: Kathleen Sullivan (Seniors Services, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center), Martin H. Blank, Jr. (The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation), Kirsten Johnson, (“What is A Caregiver?” campaign, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation) and Anne Basting (TimeSlips, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

In June 2007, [...]]]> By Edrena Harrison, ACSW, Information Programs Specialist at Family Caregiver Alliance

From Left to Right: Kathleen Sullivan (Seniors Services, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center), Martin H. Blank, Jr. (The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation), Kirsten Johnson, (“What is A Caregiver?” campaign, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation) and Anne Basting (TimeSlips, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

In June 2007, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation published an expert panel discussion report, Strengthening Caregiving for Alzheimer’s Disease, which outlined promising practices, research recommendations and key principles for caregiver support. As a result, The Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Legacy Awards Program was initiated. The program promotes those principles and stimulates innovation in the field of Alzheimer’s disease caregiving by recognizing and rewarding those efforts, which lead the way in addressing the needs of Alzheimer’s caregivers.

With support from The Foundation, Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) recognized the recipients of the 2012 Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards during the Aging in America Conference in Chicago, IL on March 14, 2013. A 5^th year celebration reception was held to honor the three selected programs for awards of $20,000 each and to acknowledge past awardees. The current awardees received their award certificates and made presentations about their programs.

Near the end of the program, a Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards digital scrapbook, highlighting all 17 awarded programs from 2008 to 2012 was presented. In addition to staff from The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Family Caregiver Alliance, Ad Lucem Consulting and current and past representatives’ organizations, attendees included local government administrators, university educators, community program directors and staff, other helping professionals, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, family caregivers, and others.

The program and representative in each of the categories were as follows:

2012 Winner, Creative Expression
Program:  TimeSlips, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Center on Age & Community (Milwaukee, WI).

Left: Anne Basting, Director of Center on Age & Community. Right: TimeSlips website

TimeSlips opens creative storytelling to people with dementia by replacing the pressure to remember with the freedom to imagine.  It inspires others to see beyond loss to recognize their strengths; and improves the quality of life of people with dementia and their caregivers. The program offers training, certification, and consulting for individuals and organizations, and acts as a resource for those dedicated to transforming dementia care through creative engagement. Gathered stories can be celebrated and shared with other family members and friends. The project also includes a free interactive website where caregivers can facilitate storytelling wherever they are—at home or in congregate settings.  Program staff estimated training over 3,000 caregivers in in-person and online workshops over the past 14 years.  Website: www.timeslips.org

2012 Winner, Diverse/Multicultural Communities 
Program:  Seniors Services, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center (Los Angeles, CA)

Right: Kathleen Sullivan, Director of Senior Services

The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center operates the only fully integrated Seniors Services program for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transsexual (LGBT) seniors in the Greater Los Angeles area. Alzheimer’s disease impacts LGBT seniors at the same rate as their heterosexual peers. As a result, the Center’s Seniors Services program developed monthly Alzheimer’s (Disease) Caregiver and Bereavement support groups. These support groups are specifically for LGBT caregivers and partners living with Alzheimer’s disease. Those who participate in the Caregiver support groups also have access to a system of comprehensive wrap-around care with legal, medical, and mental health services. Website: www.lagaycenter.org

2012 Winner, Policy and Advocacy
Program: “What Is a Caregiver?” Public Awareness Campaign, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation (St. Paul, MN)

Left: Kirsten M. Johnson, Community Initiatives Manager. Right: Ad Web Page (www.whatisacaregiver.org)

About 19% of caregivers self-identify as a “caregiver.” Most caregivers do not know they are playing this new role, and as a result do not access supports that could help them. This creates a domino effect of negative health and economic consequences. Wilder’s response to this problem was to develop and launch an innovative approach to identifying and engaging caregivers before the crisis. This public awareness campaign was the first of its kind – and had tremendous impact on creating community awareness of caregivers. The year-long campaign had a total of 160,755,000 media impressions. Approximately 45,000 caregivers of those with dementia were impacted by the campaign. Website: www.wilder.org

Staff and Award Program Representatives (2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012)

Left to Right:  Bobbi Cordano (Amherst H. Wilder Foundation), Martin H. Blank, Jr. (The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation), Alejandra Ceja-Aguilar (Southern Caregiver Resource Center-2011 Awardee), Kathleen Sullivan (L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center), Maureen Kenney (Amherst H. Wilder Foundation), Maria Genne (Kairos Alive! – 2011 Awardee), Liz Schwarte (Ad Lucem Consulting), Judith-Kate Friedman (Songwriting Works- 2010 Awardee), Kirsten Johnson (Amherst H. Wilder Foundation), Kathleen Kelly (Family Caregiver Alliance), Laura Prohov (CJE Senior Life-2008 Awardee), Anne Basting (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Edrena Harrison (Family Caregiver Alliance) and Roberto Velasquez (Southern Caregiver Resource Center-2011 Awardee)

A recent government-funded report confirms what advocacy groups have been warning for years: The number of people in the U.S.A. with Alzheimer’s disease will almost triple by 2050, straining the health care system and taxing the health of caregivers. (See the USA Today article.)   Family Caregiver Alliance would like to know about more innovative and effective programs that are addressing the needs of Alzheimer’s disease caregivers across the nation.

To Apply for an Award:

Applications for the 2013 awards will be available in May 2013. To learn more about the Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards, visit the FCA website: www.caregiver.org. To learn more about The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, visit their website.

On International Women’s Day, FCA joins you in celebrating women—hundreds of thousands of women worldwide—who give care to a parent, a spouse, a partner, another family member or friend.  Thank you everyday.

Below are several special events that are honoring women in caregiving, in the US:

Woman [...]]]>
by Andrea Orvik, FCA Communications Coordinator
Family Caregiver Alliance,
National Center on Caregiving

On International Women’s Day, FCA joins you in celebrating women—hundreds of thousands of women worldwide—who give care to a parent, a spouse, a partner, another family member or friend.  Thank you everyday.

Below are several special events that are honoring women in caregiving, in the US:

Woman Development Institute’s Extraordinary Woman Awards
The state of Rhode Island honors Socorro Aquino and Norka Rodriguez, for caregiving:
http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2013/03/ri-women-are-honored-on-international-womens-day.html

Visionary Women Celebrating Caregivers
Alzheimer’s Association is holding it’s 7th Annual Visionary Women Caregiver Luncheon this June 14, 2013. Visionary Women Circle engages women in Orange County to help expand awareness of Alzheimer’s disease. The award honors caregivers who display extraordinary compassion in caring for those touched by Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. If you know a caregiver in the  Orange County region, you can even nominate her online. Visit the site for a listing of their 2012 honorees. http://www.alz.org/oc/in_my_community_58658.asp

Stars Among Us Awards
Each year, Aging Services of Minnesota recognizes dozens of member organizations and individuals as  recipients of Stars Among Us awards, presented during the Institute and Annual Meeting.

The Aging Services Awards showcase individuals and organizations in a variety of categories, including District Caregiver of the Year Awards. To view their listing of 2013 winners, visit: http://www.agingservicesmn.org/about/stars-among-us/awards/2013-district-award-winners

An Academy Award for Caregivers . . . ?
Occupational Therapist, Elaine Pereira, delves into the unpredictable, obstinate, abusive and/or uncooperative behaviors a caregiver must sometimes face in her blog entry “An Academy Award for Caregivers.” It is a well-written, honest—(with a dash of humor added)—personal account of her experiences caring for her mom with dementia. Ms. Pereira’s book, I Will Never Forget: A Daughter’s Story of Her Mother’s Arduous and Humorous Journey through Dementia, was itself, a Finalist in the Best New Non-Fiction category of The 2012 USA Book Award. http://mariashriver.com/blog/2013/02/an-academy-award-for-caregivers-elaine-pereira

‘State of the Caregiver’ Address . . .
Though not a particular award or honoring of caregivers, we’ve included this piece by Anne-Marie Botek, a reporter who covers trends in the elder care and healthcare industries relevant to caregivers, because it pushes caregiving into a national focus. In this article, she discusses aspects of President Obama’s recent State of the Union address and refers to Mr. Obama as America’s “Caregiver-in-Chief “over the next four years. She creatively likens elements of his address discussing  affairs of state, to ‘affairs of caregiving.’
http://www.agingcare.com/News/state-of-the-caregiver-address-155969.htm

Family Caregiver Alliance supports and strengthens the work of families nationwide caring for loved ones with chronic disabling health conditions. We understand that recognition in the field of Caregiving is essential to gaining nationwide support for caregivers, and for advancing caregiving policy and legislation.

_____________________________________

Want more information and statistics on Women in Caregiving?

• Visit FCA’s Selected Caregiver Statistics fact sheet

  http://caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=439

• Women in Caregiving, Facts and Figures fact sheet
  http://caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=892

FCA: www.caregiver.org

INTRODUCTION In California, there are over 5.88 million family caregivers providing unpaid care to a loved one. These family caregivers – unpaid relatives, partners and friends – form the largest long-term care workforce in the country. In California alone, it is estimated that family caregivers provide $47 billion dollars [...]]]>

Family Caregiver Alliance – Kathleen Kelly, Executive Director

INTRODUCTION
In California, there are over 5.88 million family caregivers providing unpaid care to a loved one. These family caregivers – unpaid relatives, partners and friends – form the largest long-term care workforce in the country. In California alone, it is estimated that family caregivers provide $47 billion dollars of unpaid annual care services.ⁱ

Today’s family caregiver is part social worker, part nurse, part financial manager, part household handy-person and all wife, partner, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister or grandchild. As a society we are living longer with more complicated chronic conditions and as a result, today’s caregiving is well beyond Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) and Independent Activities of Daily Living (IADL’s). Almost half (46%) of family caregivers perform medical tasks normally associated as “nurse delegated” functions, typically with little training from health and social service systems.ⁱⁱ

Well over half (56%) of the 5.88 million family caregivers in California are part of the Baby Boomer generation, between the ages of 45 and 64. For these mostly adult children, caregiving is a juggling act among their careers, families, and parents. Almost two-thirds (64%) are holding down full-time (55%) or part-time (9%) employment, in addition to providing an average of 15 to 20 hours a week of assistance to an older adult.

Three-quarters of California caregivers are women – meaning there are roughly 4.4 million women in California trying to successfully manage this juggling act. These women are more likely to step out of the workforce to provide care. Providing this care is not without costs, as family caregivers suffer significant physical, mental and financial consequences due to the toll of caregiving.

Many family caregivers provide care at the expense of their own health. They experience chronic stress, especially those caring for an adult with multiple chronic care conditions, or cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This chronic stress is associated with a variety of adverse health effects – including depression, anxiety, obesity, substance abuse, and sleep disturbance. Between 40 and 70% of caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression, and women who provide care are six times as likely to suffer from depression or anxiety.ⁱⁱⁱ

Family caregivers often sacrifice their financial resources to provide care, and frequently reduce their work hours to be with their loved one. One-third of working women report that they have decreased their work hours, passed up a promotion or training (29%), switched from full-time to part-time (20%), or quit their job entirely (16%). For those who significantly reduce their work hours or leave the workforce to provide care, the financial impact can exceed $300,000 over their lifetime. One study found that nearly half of Baby Boomer women caregivers experienced financial hardship as a result of caregiving.

POLICY OBJECTIVE #1
The Legislature and the Governor should enact state legislation to integrate family caregivers into health and social service programs across state departments.

Background
Family caregivers are the backbone of the long-term services and support system for the state. However, they are largely overlooked in terms of provision of explicit direct services for caregivers, and are not fully recognized nor integrated within the health and social service system.

Moving toward integration requires adoption of performance measures that improve outcomes for both the client and the family. In turn, these performance measures will require modifying current clinical practice within service settings. These measures must be consistent across programs in order to provide meaningful information that supports providers and clinicians and drives improvement on quality of services.

Identification and assessment of family caregivers, using a uniform set of measures, is the starting point for integration. It is an opportune time to include a caregiver assessment measure as the state recognizes the need for a uniform assessment instrument for all long-term services and supports (LTSS) that span state departments and programs. This would include programs funded through MediCal waivers, Older Americans Act, general revenue and other federal and state funded LTSS programs.

Currently, there are no family caregiver assessment measures in the In Home Supportive Services, Multipurpose Services Senior Program, Adult Day Health Care in any of the Client Assessment Instruments used within those programs. While the Caregiver Resource Centers (CA Department of Health Care Services) have operated with a uniform caregiver assessment tool since 1987, there is no uniform caregiver assessment instrument in the National Family Caregiver Support Program, Title IIIE, Older Americans Act (CA Department on Aging).

In a current study underway by the Public Policy Institute, AARP and Family Caregiver Alliance entitled “National Inventory of Assessment Instruments and Process for Informal Caregivers within Home and Community Based Service Medicaid Waiver Programs”, there are 12 states that include an assessment of the informal caregiver within their client assessment instrument. In reviewing states that have successfully integrated family caregivers within service systems, several key factors have emerged:

• A common understanding of and support for family caregivers by leadership in government administration. community health and social service providers.
• Integration of departments that provide services to adults with chronic care conditions through an electronic client record system, common assessment, and protocols for seamless referrals across programs.
• A uniform caregiver assessment instrument that is used to determine need for services or supports and referrals to other departments or programs and also provides information about level of support provided by the family caregiver.
• Ability to analyze the client and caregiver data to determine outcomes improvement on measures of caregiver capacity to care or well-being, cost savings or background characteristics of family care systems.

Recommended Actions
If a care plan relies on informal support provided by families and others, then an assessment of the caregivers’ needs should be conducted and services provided to sustain care their efforts and promote their well-being.

A. The Legislature should request that the California Research Bureau:

• Undertake a study to assess uniform caregiver assessment measures in other states.
• Develop a report for the Legislature by January 2014 that highlights common uniform caregiver assessment measures, identifies the cost of development and implementation, and reports on the outcomes of caregiver assessment within the care plans.

B. The Legislature should pass and the Governor should sign legislation that:

• Requires the Health and Human Services Agency to review the California Research Bureau report (identified above) and develop a uniform caregiver assessment tool by January 1, 2015, to be incorporated into required client eligibility and assessment instruments used in MediCal waiver services (In Home Supportive Services, Multipurpose Services Senior Program, Community Based Adult Services) and in the Coordinated Care Initiative.. This assessment information should be part of the client record, and the Health and Human Services Agency should develop protocols for care planning and provision or referral of caregivers to appropriate services within the community.
• Requires a uniform assessment be used with direct caregiver support programs (Title IIIE, National Family Caregiver Support Program; Caregiver Resource Centers) that indicate priority needs of the family caregiver, tailored responses for the care plan and outcomes of the interventions provided
• Mandates the inclusion of consumer representatives – such as family caregivers and advocate groups representing family caregivers – on all public task forces, advisory committees and workgroups across departments concerning health care and long-term service and support programs.

POLICY OBJECTIVE #2
The Legislature and the Governor should augment the budget for the Caregiver Resource Centers to increase the level of services and support for families in the state.

Background
The California Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs) were established in 1984 to provide high quality services to support family caregivers, ages 18 and over, of persons with adult-onset cognitive impairments across the state and without regard to income. The CRCs use a uniform caregiver assessment to tailor consultation, training and other services to the specific needs of the family.

Currently, California budgets $2.9 million general fund dollars for the maintenance of the Caregiver Resource Centers, down from $12 million in 2007. In addition, there is $15.4 million in federal dollars through the National Family Caregiver Support Program (Title IIIE, Older Americans Act) administered by the Area Agencies on Aging. California’s total annual investment in direct support services for family caregivers have decreased exactly as the need has increased in the state. We need to better support those who provide the majority of care in our state, especially when the growth rate for those over 65 is expected to be 15% in the next five years. With the shift to a rapidly aging population, the number of family caregivers is also expected to rise.

Recommended Actions
A. The Legislature should convene an informational hearing on the Caregiver Resource Centers that:

• Reviews the services they currently provide, as well as the services they previously provided before budget cuts.
• Includes testimony from Caregiver Resource Center administrators, staff and caregivers that utilize the services.
• Assesses the funding that would be needed to restore previously eliminated services.

B. The Legislature should pass and the Governor should sign a bill that:

• Institutes a gradual increase in general fund dollars to provide a minimum combined total of $27 million to support caregiving families of older adults in the state.

END NOTES
ⁱPublic Policy Institute, AARP, “Valuing the Invaluable: The Growing Contributions and Costs of Family Caregiving” 2011 Update, accessed January 9, 2013,
ⁱⁱPublic Policy Institute, AARP; United Hospital Fund, “Home Alone: Family Caregivers Providing Complex Chronic Care”, accessed January 9, 2012,
ⁱⁱⁱFamily Caregiver Alliance Fact Sheet. “Women and Caregiving: Facts and Figures”, accessed January 4, 2013,

by Kathleen Kelly, Executive Director, Family Caregiver Alliance

In the last blog post I suggested five gifts family caregivers could use right now: 2 weeks of respite, Social Security credits for those who leave their job to provide care, a trained workforce and so on. Practical items to be sure. Today we turn to [...]]]>

by Kathleen Kelly, Executive Director,
Family Caregiver Alliance

In the last blog post I suggested five gifts family caregivers could use right now: 2 weeks of respite, Social Security credits for those who leave their job to provide care, a trained workforce and so on. Practical items to be sure. Today we turn to those gifts that capture public attention or change policy in a favorable direction. Here are my personal favorites in this category:

Gift # 6: A National Day Without Family Caregivers
We’ve already set aside the month of November to honor family caregivers, but what if we were to have a national day without family caregivers? What if we got every elected public official to take care of our relatives for a day? Do you think they might look at these issues differently after a day of providing personal care, medication management, insurance wrangling, preparation of meals for special diets and fielding calls from siblings critiquing our handling of Mom’s care? What does that national one day of care cost? $129 million (arrived at via the $47 billion estimated value of informal care, divided by 365 days.)

Gift #7: Double the Funding for the National Family Caregiver Support Program
Doubling the funding would bring the amount to just over $300 million­—or about $4.75 for every family caregiver in the country. Not a bad investment for an average value of informal care per year of $8000 per family. Hey!—Wait a minute . . . doubling the appropriation would amount to a little over 2 days of care nationally (see Gift #6). Do you think after a National Day without Family Caregivers, policy makers might see the value in supporting caregiving families? Doubling the support would be a boon to caregiving families everywhere.

Gift #8: Undercover Boss: Caregiver Edition
For a day, have the boss exchange places with an employee who juggles job, family and caregiving responsibilities. A sampling of daily challenges:

1. Rise early and get Mom ready for the day,
2. Wait for the morning aide, then
3. Fight the traffic to get to work. While at work,
4. Answer phone calls from Mom on:
1. where her glasses are,
2. why you moved the extra set of car keys,
3. when you’re coming home, (etc.)
5. Run home at lunch to make sure Mom takes her meds (since you live in a state without nurse delegated tasks to home health aides). Oh no! The afternoon aide has not arrived!
6. Go into panic mode and call the home health agency to get a replacement—(and where are those darn power point slides for the presentation this afternoon!?!) . . . And so the list goes.

For this really to work, these back-up caregivers-for-a-day would, of course, be on their own . . . no spouses, administrative assistants or private case managers allowed to help.

Gift #9: A Seat at the National Policy Table Designated for Family Caregivers
We need an Institute of Medicine report on family caregiving that would raise the visibility of the issue and chart a course of future action. IOM reports often become the benchmark for implementation activities for years to come and carry the authority of solid recommendations for actions. Also, we need a National Center on Caregiving that would collect best practices, conduct research, provide technical assistance to health and social service systems on how best to integrate families into the care system and answer calls from caregivers across the country seeking help and advice on care issues.

Gift #10: An Understanding That Caregiving is Just Part of Life—Which We All Will Share in to Some Degree, Some Day . . .
And perhaps this is the most important message of all, especially for those in policy-making roles: at some point, all of us will be affected by illness or disability in our families or ourselves. The role of caregiver, is the giving of assistance, perhaps the receiving of assistance in the future. Often given without reservations, sometimes begrudgingly, it is done out of love, respect, loyalty, duty or expectation of reciprocity. Most simply, caregiving is about human relationships. It affects not just us personally but all in our tight network of family, our extended web of friends, the communities in which we reside, and ultimately, our entire shared society.

This list of ten gifts we hope can serve as a reminder—to those of you who know a caregiver—of the importance these compassionate folks serve in our lives; but for those of you reading this who are caregivers, remember that it is not selfish to give to ourselves too, throughout this season of giving and beyond. A family caregiver burned out from constant stress is not only shortchanging their relative, they may also be shortening their own life. Taking care of yourself may just be the best gift you will unwrap this holiday season.

The warmest of wishes for a wonderful holiday season and happy and healthy New Year to your family from ours here at Family Caregiver Alliance. -KK

This time of year, our thoughts turn to family and friends, celebrating relationships and giving to others. I would like to list my own personal recommendations on much needed gifts that family caregivers could really use in the New Year.

Gift #1: Respite Seriously.  If we are serious about supporting [...]]]> by Kathleen Kelly, Executive Director, Family Caregiver Alliance

This time of year, our thoughts turn to family and friends, celebrating relationships and giving to others. I would like to list my own personal recommendations on much needed gifts that family caregivers could really use in the New Year.

Gift #1: Respite
Seriously.  If we are serious about supporting families, let’s give those who care continuously for their family members unable to care for themselves, two weeks of respite a year . . . in exchange for the remaining fifty they spend caring. Everyone needs a substantial break—caregivers most of all.

Gift #2: Financial Security
Sadly, many family caregivers have to quit their jobs to care for ailing family members who can no longer manage on their own, and lack the financial means to pay for professional caregiving. With that, there is a loss of accrual of Social Security credits that can mean significantly lower income in retirement. Especially hard hit are women in lower income careers—and women remain the primary caregivers. Family caregivers should not have to choose between being there for family and having something to retire on themselves so that their own children aren’t forced to quit work to care for them as they age, (contributing to a continuing, frustrating cycle). But unfortunately, depending on the severity of a loved one’s illness, choosing to care for family can often mean facing a bleak economic future—especially since most understand that their efforts mean less cost to society. What we need is a way for those who find no other option than to leave employment to care for ill or aging family, to continue to accrue Social Security credits enabling them to live in dignity in their own “golden years.” It’s  acknowledging the value of them and their efforts to their loved one and society.

Gift #3: A Trained Workforce
We hear about too many family caregivers handling medical-related tasks for their loved one that are ideally handled by trained professionals. We do these caregivers and their care recipients a huge disservice to not push for an increase in thorough, up-to-date and compassionate medical training for all levels of staff in the medical profession. Training for the workforce takes a number of forms: medical staff who are trained to include family caregivers as part of the care team; medical specialists, nurses and social workers who understand geriatric care issues and cognitive impairments; aides who are trained to handle behavioral challenges, and the basic challenge of taking just a bit of time combined with a bit of patience to listen to the patient, his or her family and especially, the family caregiver who knows that person best.

Gift #4: Patient and Family Centered Care
Family caregivers need health and social service systems that value informal caregiving. This means putting in place a formalized process for identifying caregivers, and assessing the unique needs of families. But it is not only assessment; it is a set of services and supports that should be tailored to each patient and their particular family situation that needs to be provided.

Gift #5: Paid Family Leave
So far, only two states offer paid family leave to employed caregivers. Every state should have this self-funded option through which those who need to care for family can temporarily leave their jobs to take care of relatives. The sticking point is the public will to pass legislation in every state and the development of the mechanism to collect and disburse funds within the state. In years past, the Obama Administration requested $10 million be set aside for states to develop those systems. Let’s make it our collective New Year’s resolution to get moving on this in 2013.

-KK

Family Caregiver Alliance is pleased to be a co-sponsor of The Women’s Policy Summit, scheduled for January 17, 2013, at the Sacramento Convention Center that will bring advocates and other California leaders together in a multi-issue policy forum to present their priority recommendations to improve the health and well-being of women and girls [...]]]> Family Caregiver Alliance

Family Caregiver Alliance is pleased to be a co-sponsor of The Women’s Policy Summit, scheduled for January 17, 2013, at the Sacramento Convention Center that will bring advocates and other California leaders together in a multi-issue policy forum to present their priority recommendations to improve the health and well-being of women and girls in California.

The Summit is “more than a conference.”   It not only educates, it also sets the stage to advocate, with scores of leaders releasing proposals for policy and programs.  Caregiving issues need to be represented and we hope that family members and programs that support caregivers will attend, get educated and let their voices be heard.

And the issues could not be more important to caregiving families:  health care reform, mental health, aging, health disparities and gender, paid sick days and paid family leave, getting more women appointed to corporate boards, getting more women elected as public officials, and more.  The conference is hosted by the California Center for Research and Women and Families and is Co-Sponsored by over 60 legislative and state organizations representing women’s issues.

For more information and to register for the conference, go to www.ccrwf.org

(. . . Yes, even though it’s Wednesday. We’ll actually accept your donations throughout the holiday season. As it says above, the giving just starts on Tuesday!)

Family Caregiver Alliance

This is the first year for Giving Tuesday, a nationwide effort to focus on charitable giving during the holiday season.  Family Caregiver Alliance [...]]]>

(. . . Yes, even though it’s Wednesday. We’ll actually accept your donations throughout the holiday season. As it says above, the giving just starts on Tuesday!)

Family Caregiver Alliance

This is the first year for Giving Tuesday, a nationwide effort to focus on charitable giving during the holiday season.  Family Caregiver Alliance is a supporter of Giving Tuesday and urges all readers to consider a donation to FCA to continue our work with family caregivers.  For over 35 years, FCA has called attention to the needs of family caregivers, provided much-needed practical support, planning and direct services and continued to advocate that caregivers be recognized, assessed and supported across health and social service systems.

This past year, FCA has . . .

• been a soothing voice on the phone to thousands of caregivers;

• held Caregiver Colleges teaching direct care skills;

• written comments to CMS (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services) on proposed rules to assess caregivers in waiver programs;

• been interviewed on television, radio and print media on caregiving issues;

• been a vetted source of consumer information for families and professionals;

• counseled families on emotional issues related to caregiving;

• held retreats for caregivers and camps for adults with Alzheimer’s disease;

• testified during budget hearings on the need for funding supporting caregivers;

• conducted short-term groups on caregiver depression, anger, and behavioral management;

• visited over 400 families in their homes in the San Francisco Bay Area to assess their needs and develop action plans to guide caregivers in decisions and support;

• held training conferences throughout the Bay Area and webinars nationally that reached thousands of consumers;

• subtitled direct care videos into Spanish and posted them on You Tube;

• presented at five national professional conferences on service and policy research;

• provided respite to caregiving families;

• published policy briefs and provided technical assistance to states and program developers;

• sponsored robust online support groups with over 2000 members;

• participated in national and state coalitions that advocate for family caregivers;

• held the first public-private partnership event bringing together nonprofits, technology, services, media and venture capital to forge new relationships;

• honored the John A Hartford Foundation for outstanding leadership in support of family caregivers and the four winners of the Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Awards

. . . and the list continues.

Help us continue our work on behalf of family caregivers everywhere with a donation to Family Caregiver Alliance this year.  Give the week of  Giving Tuesday  so we can continue giving throughout the year.

Guest Blogger:  Francine Russo, speaker and author “THEY’RE YOUR PARENTS, TOO! How Siblings Can Survive Their Parents’ Aging Without Driving Each Other Crazy” [Illustration by Andrea Orvik]

Family Caregiver Alliance

“I’m really worried about the holidays,” Leslie told me. I’ve got everything under control with my Mom and Dad. Then my sisters and their families [...]]]>

Guest Blogger:  Francine Russo, speaker and author “THEY’RE YOUR PARENTS, TOO! How Siblings Can Survive Their Parents’ Aging Without Driving Each Other Crazy” [Illustration by Andrea Orvik]

Family Caregiver Alliance

“I’m really worried about the holidays,” Leslie told me. I’ve got everything under control with my Mom and Dad. Then my sisters and their families come. I tell them that Mom and Dad tire easily and to make sure the grandkids don’t exhaust them. But they don’t listen to me. Mom and Dad can’t say no, everything gets crazy, and I’m the one who has to deal with the resulting mess.”

In case you haven’t guessed, Leslie’s the caregiver for her mom and dad. Her folks, now in their 80′s are still in their own house, but Mom’s got diabetes, hypertension and arthritis and Dad’s slowing down physically and seems to be even more confused and forgetful lately. Leslie’s two sisters, who live out of state, visit once or twice a year. Mostly they don’t acknowledge their parents’ aging, or, if they do, Leslie says, they blame it on her. “They told me I should make sure Mom and Dad get more exercise and eat more blueberries and fish to boost dad’s memory. I can’t make them do that if they don’t want to!

Sound familiar? Hers is a typical caregiver lament around this time of year. If your situation is like hers, is there any way to make things better? Well, …maybe. At least a little.

All your siblings—and in-laws and grandkids—are going to have different perceptions, needs and expectations. Your older sister will want to spend as much time with Mom and Dad as possible or have them play with the grandkids as much as they can. And, yes, she will try to take charge just like she did when you were kids. Your younger sister will do whatever it takes to keep the peace. And your parents will brighten up at the sight of everyone, announce they’re couldn’t be feeing better, and make you sound like a liar or a drama queen.

If you are like many caregivers, you will want to try to maintain Mom and Dad’s routines, and keep control of all the things that need doing. You will attempt to protect your parents from exhaustion while finding yourself “educating” your sisters and their family that your parents aren’t up to doing all of the activities that they once did. But if you fight to keep things “normal,” you’re likely to exhaust yourself fighting reality: holidays are not normal. Now, you may be right about everything. Yes, Mom and Dad may get overtired and feel a little worse after everyone leaves. And, yes, you will be left to deal with the results. But you can feel less stressed if you have a sense of perspective about what’s really at stake.

Will your parents face any real danger from the holiday festivities? If they’re like most people, the answer is probably not. If you take this as your starting point, you may be able to make the holiday less difficult and more enjoyable.  Here are some suggestions:

• Accept the reality that holidays are exceptions to routines and don’t fight hard to keep them “normal.” That can save you from feeling frustrated and resentful.

• Try to delegate some of the things that will need doing by talking to your siblings ahead of time; You can explain that you will be thrilled to see them but also overwhelmed. Try to get them to commit to particular tasks like keeping your parents house picked-up when visiting, taking full responsibility for monitoring their young children, and, if it makes sense for your family, honoring an early evening quiet time so that you and your parents can get a good nights sleep or at least some private time for yourselves.

•  If you’re hosting, now is the perfect time to change some of the “but we’ve always done it this way” meal traditions. Consider making life a little easier for yourself, especially if others won’t help. This might mean eating out rather than in, or bringing in prepared food and serving it buffet style on paper plates. Yes, even though it’s the holidays!

•  If your siblings don’t understand your parents’ condition, try to prepare them by composing and sending a letter – or asking a nurse, social worker or a respected family friend to do so- prior to their visit. Describe your parents current typical day and their current health concerns. Of course, even if you can tell your family yourself in great detail, everyone will be seeing your folks through their own fears and wishes—based on their own relationship with each parent. And they will hear anything you tell them through the whole history of your relationship with them.

•  Parents may have long provided extra emotional support for a troubled sibling or ‘kept the peace” among feuding siblings. The dynamics of the family will definitely change once your parents are no longer interested or able to maintain those roles. Encourage family to visit even though the declining effects of your parents chronic health conditions or increasing frailty may make a sibling feel vulnerable. But remember, it’s not your job as the caregiver to take over your parents former role as peacekeeper. Set your limits and be clear about them with others.

•  If a relative notices that Mom walks more slowly or Dad seems a little “out of it” and they blame it on you, try, try not to get defensive and attack with the guilts: (Well, if you came around a little more… or You do nothing so don’t you dare criticize me) They may defend themselves from feeling guilty by getting angry with you. Say as calmly as you can: I’ve been trying to tell you how their medical issues are affecting them, but I know it’s hard to understand when you don’t see them first hand. Can I arrange a phone consultation with their doctor so you can hear what’s going on and ask her your questions? Remember, the doctor will need your parent’s permission before talking about any of your parent’s health care concerns with family.

•  Consider inviting an objective third party— social worker knowledgeable about family caregiving or a geriatric care manager—to convene a family meeting for one of the days before or after the holiday. This can occur by phone or in-person although in-person is best. This professional can help get family members on the same page, defuse family tensions and even help distribute caregiving tasks. Including your parents, if they are willing and able, empowers them to feel more in-control of their environment and helps everyone hear preferences and wishes about long-term care needs directly from the source.

•  If you and your family see the need for someone else to coordinate your parents care—for example maybe you need to return to work – arrange to meet with a geriatric care manager (GCM). These professionals will charge a fee to come to the house, assess your parents’ condition, needs and options going forward. While writing this blog I wondered whether GCMs work during the holidays. I called one excellent one I know to ask. “Are you kidding?” she said. “Holidays are our busiest times of the year!”

•  Having fun when siblings visit is important. Accept invitations to go play even if it doesn’t work for your parents to join you. Going skiing for the day with your little sister or allowing your siblings to stay with your parents while you enjoy a guilt-free massage and lunch with a friend can do you a world of good. Everything may not go perfectly while you are away but it probably will be good enough. Say “yes” to opportunities that both feed your soul while giving your siblings the opportunity to help while they are in town.

Family get-togethers can be fabulous or fearful or some combination of the two. However large they loom, they also present an opportunity to get everyone on the same page—or at least, on the same chapter—and help ease the way for the duration of the caregiving passage ahead.

Try to let go a little and enjoy a little!

The Family Caregiver Alliance fact sheets on Caregiving with your Siblings, Holding a Family Meeting, and Taking Care of You: Self Care for Family Caregivers offer more tips and suggestion on this topic.

Can you provide our readers with an experience of yours, navigating the holidays with siblings while caregiving?

Caring for a parent, spouse, adult child, partner or friend with a chronic health problem is an every-day affair.  Sometimes boring, sometimes unreasonable, sometimes over-the-top demanding, sometimes rewarding . . . and always on your mind.

Knowledge about a health condition, guidance to providing the best care, and special tips for support and self-care, [...]]]> Family Caregiver Alliance

Caring for a parent, spouse, adult child, partner or friend with a chronic health problem is an every-day affair.  Sometimes boring, sometimes unreasonable, sometimes over-the-top demanding, sometimes rewarding . . . and always on your mind.

Knowledge about a health condition, guidance to providing the best care, and special tips for support and self-care, can pave the way for a smoother road ahead.

We know how hard you work, and want to acknowledge your role as caregiver to someone important to you. As a special thank you for all you do—and to remind you of the various ways that FCA can be there for you—we’re posting this special ‘resource reminder’ blog entry as our way of wishing you a wonderful National Caregivers Month.

Recently Updated FCA Caregiver Fact Sheets:

• Alzheimer’s Disease & Caregiving (English) – also in Spanish, Korean & Vietnamese
• Brain Tumor
• Caregiving & Depression (English) – also in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese
• Caregiver’s Guide to Understanding Dementia (English) – also in Spanish, Chinese & Korean
• Caregiving with Your Siblings
• Dementia, Caregiving & Controlling Frustration (English) – also in Spanish, Chinese
• Dementia: Is this Dementia and What Does it Mean? -  (English) – also in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese
• Digital Technology for the Family Caregiver (English) – also in Spanish, Chinese
• Legal Issues for LGBT Caregivers (English)
• Legal Issues in Planning for Incapacity (English) – also in Spanish, Chinese
• Mild Cognitive Impairment (English) – also in Spanish, Korean & Vietnamese
• Selected Caregiver Statistics
• Special Concerns of LGBT Caregivers  (English)

FCA Caregiver Fact Sheets Getting Updated Soon:
(follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates, or check the What’s New section on our home page)

• Taking Care of You:  Self-Care for Family Caregivers (English, Spanish)
• Advanced Illness Series: CPR, DNR & POLST
• Downsizing
• Feeding Tubes & Ventilators
• Holding on & Letting Go
• Legal Planning for Incapacity
• Personal Care Agreements
• Relocating Your Elderly Parents
• Work & Caregiving

To see our full selection of fact sheets and other resources visit us online at www.caregiver.org. Remember that Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) is there for you every step of the way.

Family Caregiver Alliance

A new Issue Brief entitled, Family Caregiving and Transitional Care: A Critical Review has been published by the National Center on Caregiving, Family Caregiver Alliance. The paper looks at the five models of hospital to home transitional care programs currently being replicated across the country and how those programs involve family caregivers as [...]]]>

Family Caregiver Alliance

A new Issue Brief entitled, Family Caregiving and Transitional Care: A Critical Review has been published by the National Center on Caregiving, Family Caregiver Alliance. The paper looks at the five models of hospital to home transitional care programs currently being replicated across the country and how those programs involve family caregivers as partners in care. Two models of physician practice-based transitional care programs were also examined.

Some key findings are: family caregivers receive inadequate support during transition between setting and little research has been conducted on how family caregivers perceive their own roles and needs during transitions. Second, involvement of family caregivers can improve patient outcomes and continuity of care but families should not be expected to provide complex medical care in the home, especially without training or in-home support from professionals. And last, there needs to be a greater focus on long-term services and supports as part of any transitional care program.

While health professionals are increasingly recognizing the need to work with family caregivers, we must align both the financing for these efforts, and also the training and practice guidelines to involve family caregivers as part of the care team.

The full report PDF can be downloaded directly from our website (www.caregiver.org); or you can click on the report link from the What’s New section on our homepage.