burt

Promoting Program Flexibility to Better Meet Caregiver Needs: 

Cliff Burt, MPA Georgia Division of Aging Services Two Peachtree Street NW Ninth Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3176 Phone (404)-657-5336 Email gcburt@dhr.state.ga.us Promoting Program Flexibility to Better Meet Caregiver Needs

Promoting Program Flexibility to Better Meet Caregiver Needs: 

Promoting Program Flexibility to Better Meet Caregiver Needs How is this to reflect our National Family Caregiver Support Program Conference theme, From Enactment to Action?

Caregiver Focus Groups: 

Caregiver Focus Groups Through an AoA Alzheimer’s demo grant, had done training for Alzheimer’s caregivers, but realized we could do more for other caregivers.

Caregiver Focus Groups: 

Caregiver Focus Groups Six focus groups conducted around Georgia by Dr. Cathy Scott, R.N.,C. Groups ranged in size from 8-12 participants. A total of 64 participants were in the six groups.

Caregiver Focus Groups: 

Caregiver Focus Groups

Caregiver Focus Groups : 

Caregiver Focus Groups GENDER: 55 females, 9 males AGE Caregivers ranged in age from 26 to 80 years old.

Caregiver Focus Groups: 

Caregiver Focus Groups Participants included family members, nursing assistants, discharge planners, care managers, trustees, home health administrators, neighbors, and volunteers.

Caregiver Focus Groups: 

Caregiver Focus Groups MAJOR THEMES Lack of Information Needs Exceed Availability Ageist Providers: (Inadequately, educated, supported, or monitored).

Caregiver RecommendationsInformation: 

Caregiver Recommendations Information Community resources Create 1-800 number Emergency Services Home modifications Legal issues (power of attorney, guardianship, donor issues). Place information in physician offices. Place caregivers on boards of organizations. Future planning (financial, funeral, etc).

Caregiver RecommendationsDirect Services: 

Caregiver Recommendations Direct Services Streamline services to decrease fragmentation. Expansion of respite (increase hours, weekends, nights). Expand transportation. Financial assistance with medications. More supervision of services. Emergency services (back-up for caregivers). Counseling & Advance Planners.

Caregiver RecommendationsTraining: 

Caregiver Recommendations Training Ageist issues (respect, communication, dignity). Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Normal Aging Issues. Complexities of caregiving (finding time). More advanced seminars for nursing assistants. Course on compassion for nursing assistants. Community resources. Personal Care. Communication skills.

Caregiver Focus Groups: 

Caregiver Focus Groups What’s next? Plenary Sessions at statewide aging conferences. AAA’s prioritized training topics. Regional education/training events scheduled.

Caregiver Focus Groups: 

Caregiver Focus Groups Collaboration with AARP, GGS, & Rosalynn Carter Institute. Publish and disseminate data in caregiver report. Increased funding for caregiver services.

What is Mobile Day Care?: 

What is Mobile Day Care? An innovative service delivery model Enables rural communities to have their own day care program several days/week Staff and materials are mobile, not the facility “Shared staff” travel between locations

Mobile Day Care Programs in Georgia: 

Mobile Day Care Programs in Georgia Georgia has three mobile day care programs. Each program has two sites Most sites are open 2 days per week Staff drive between 20-45 miles one way to sites

Mobile Day Care Staffing : 

Mobile Day Care Staffing Varies from program to program Part-time and Full-time Staff Positions Include: Day Center Director Respite Aide (often a Certified Nursing Assistant) Case Manager Community Development Coordinator

Community Development Coordinator: 

Community Development Coordinator Should be hired locally Preferably someone who is well-known in community Develops a coalition of community professionals and caregivers

Problems That May Be Encountered: 

Problems That May Be Encountered Mistrust of “big city folks” “Rural Mentality”--families feel they must take care of their own Local Prejudices

Strengths/Benefits of Mobile Day Care: 

Strengths/Benefits of Mobile Day Care Enables unserved areas to have respite services Staff costs spread between two sites One site’s census may help “support” the other site Flexibility with PT & FT positions helps retain qualified staff Replicable in urban or rural setting

Self-Directed Care Model Voucher Project: 

Self-Directed Care Model Voucher Project Empowers caregivers to choose and make arrangements for services they deem best meets their needs Enables caregivers primary authority to make decisions that work for them Allows caregivers to determine how and by whom their needs are met

Georgia’s Self-Directed Care Model Project : 

Georgia’s Self-Directed Care Model Project Called Legacy Express Designed for older persons and their caregivers living at home. Promotes caregiver participation in planning and managing services that go into their own homes.

How Does the Model Work? : 

How Does the Model Work? Care Manager provides handbook of service providers Explains available services to family Caregiver decides which services best meet their needs.

About the Vouchers: 

About the Vouchers Are issued in books of $500 Voucher books in denominations of $10, $20, and $50 Each voucher is in triplicate Caregivers usually issued two books per year

Types of Services : 

Types of Services In-Home Respite Home Delivered Meals Adult Day Care Homemaker Home Modifications & Low Technology Devices

Types of Services : 

Types of Services Pharmaceutical Supplies Medications Lawn Services Emergency Response System (ERS) monitoring Transportation Skilled Nursing Care

Spending Patterns : 

Spending Patterns

Professional In-Home Counseling for the Elderly : 

Professional In-Home Counseling for the Elderly Discussion groups for Georgia caregivers being developed with III-E funds. “Open forum” to encourage sharing and questions. Stress management tools will be provided.

Professional In-Home Counseling for the Elderly: 

Professional In-Home Counseling for the Elderly The PICE program has an in-home counseling component. Counseling provided in the person’s home, or home of a relative. Depression is the primary reason for most referrals.

Professional In-Home Counseling for the Elderly: 

Professional In-Home Counseling for the Elderly Provided by a Licensed Social Worker (LMSW, CFLE). No cost to the client. Paid for with Title III-B, III E. Monthly Support group also available.

Aging and Long Term Care Information System: 

Aging and Long Term Care Information System Developed by Atlanta Regional Commission (AAA for metro-Atlanta region). Contains numerous components, including Aging Connection and CONNECT.

Aging and Long Term Care Information System: 

Aging and Long Term Care Information System ARC and CyberPath, Inc. developed the Elder Services Program (ESP), a comprehensive software program with client and provider/service components. The provider/service component (CONNECT) has over 10,000 listings statewide of providers serving clients and caregivers, separated into 42 categories of services.

Assistive Techology & Home Modifications : 

Assistive Techology & Home Modifications Address the needs of persons with physical or other functional limitations. Services include home modification, Mobile Display Unit, and Lending Closet.

Assistive Technology & Home Modifications: 

Assistive Technology & Home Modifications Lending Closet-enables caregivers to try assistive technology devices before purchasing. Mobile Display Unit- a “hands-on” unit featuring devices on the market.