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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. California report on reforming health and human services
The Little Hoover Commission has made available "Real Lives, Real Reforms: Improving Health and Human Services." The report includes a wide array of information on California programs, including details on In-Home Supportive Services which pays family caregivers to provide personal care and other services. Download:
http://www.lhc.ca.gov/lhcdir/report173.html
2. Louisiana report on HCBS and long-term care
AARP has made available the latest in a series of reports on home and community-based long-term care in the states. The report reflects data gathered from a survey of AARP members within Louisiana and found that more than two in five respondents would prefer to receive long-term care services in their homes, provided by a family member or friend. Prior states surveyed include New Hampshire, South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Iowa. Download:
http://research.aarp.org/health/hcb_ltc.html
3. N. Carolina offers grants for family caregiving programs
The North Carolina Family Caregiver Support Program has made available regional grant funds to provide case assistance and respite care to family caregivers in certain counties. Proposals are due May 28, 2004. More info:
http://www.landofsky.org/publications/press_releases/PR_FCG_Grants_Apps.htm
4. Virginia posts outcome of 2004 legislative session
The Virginia Department for the Aging has posted a summary of the outcome of selected bills and resolutions of interest to older Virginians, their families and caregivers. The summary includes an update on HB 90 and HB 1252, legislation that would have increased the amount of grants available to Virginia family caregivers from $500 to $3000 per year. Download:
http://www.aging.state.va.us/news.htm
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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5. AHRQ to develop family assessment of nursing home care
The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is soliciting requests by researchers, survey firms, stakeholders and others for survey instruments or items from survey instruments measuring family assessments of nursing home care. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has prioritized the development of a standardized survey for measuring, and publicly reporting, family and residents' assessments of nursing home care that could be used nationwide. Submissions are due July 6, 2004. More info:
http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/fr/fr050604b.pdf
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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6. Study finds counseling effective at reducing caregiver depression
Short-term intensive counseling in conjunction with readily available support can significantly reduce the long-term risk of depression among husbands and wives caring for spouses with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that the positive impact of these interventions continued for more than three years after the initial counseling sessions ended and persisted even after those with the disease died or were placed in nursing homes. More info:
http://www.med.nyu.edu/communications/news/pr_48.html
7. AARP report on disability and independent living
"Beyond 50.03: A Report to the Nation on Independent Living and Disability" is the latest in a series of reports on the status of our nation's midlife and older population. The report takes an in-depth look at the roles of supportive services, family and community and our social and physical environments in enhancing the independence of age 50+ persons with disabilities. The report includes a section on the role of family and informal caregivers. Download:
http://research.aarp.org/il/beyond_50_il.html
8. "Grandparent Responsibilities on the Rise"
The Population Reference Bureau has made available this brief report on grandparents responsible for grandchildren. Included are statistical data on the prevalence of grandparent caregivers and a brief analysis of federal, state and local attention to this issue. View:
http://tinyurl.com/324b9
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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9. Caregiving research in the American Journal of Psychiatry
The May 2004 edition of the American Journal of Psychiatry includes "Extent and Cost of Informal Caregiving for Older Americans with Symptoms of Depression" and "Sustained Benefit of Supportive Intervention for Depressive Symptoms in Caregivers of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease." Abstracts:
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/content/vol161/issue5/index.shtml#ARTICLES
10. Am. Journal of Geriatric Psychology articles on caregiving
The May/June 2004 edition of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychology includes several articles that address family caregiving. "Vulnerable Caregivers of Alzheimer Disease Patients Have a Deficit in beta(2)-Adrenergic Receptor Sensitivity and Density"; "Use of Cognitive Enhancement Medication in Persons With Alzheimer Disease Who Have a Family Caregiver: Results From the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (REACH) Project"; "Family caregiving of persons with dementia: prevalence, health effects, and support strategies"; and "Caregiving in geriatric psychiatry." Abstracts:
http://ajgp.psychiatryonline.org/content/vol12/issue3/index.shtml
CONFERENCES & TRAININGS
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11. ASA-NCOA call for proposals
The American Society on Aging (ASA) and the National Council on the Aging (NCOA) have announced a call for proposals for the 2005 Joint Annual Conference. The conference will be held in Philadelphia on March 10-13, 2005. The theme is "The Changing Face of Aging." Applications are due June 4, 2005. Details:
http://www.agingconference.org/jc05/call
FUNDING, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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12. Funding for grandparents responsible for grandchildren
The U.S. Administration for Children and Families has announced the availability of funding to provide family support services for grandparents and other relatives caring for children of substance abusing and/or HIV-positive women. The purpose of the funding is to provide counseling and other support services to family caregivers for drug-exposed, HIV-exposed, HIV-positive or HIV/AIDS affected children. The funds will be used to establish or enhance a system of support services that should include, but are not limited to, social services, counseling, legal and financial services, and assistance with custodial issues. Deadline for applications is July 12, 2004. More info:
http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=515
13. Drug company launches site to assist with home care
Novartis has launched a new website, Virtual House, with the goal of making homecare of seriously ill persons easier for patients and their family caregivers. The site provides recommendations for creating household environments that reduce domestic accidents and improve the safety, comfort, and quality of life of patients and their caregivers. Access:
http://novartis.com./diseases_conditions/en/virtual_house.shtml
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For questions or further information about Family Caregiver Alliance's National Center on Caregiving, contact us at PolicyDigest@caregiver.org.
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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.
©2004 Family Caregiver Alliance
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