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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. New Hampshire proposes to shift nursing home costs to families
According to an October 20, 2004 Concord Monitor article, New Hampshire's governor has proposed major changes to the state's Medicaid program. Among those changes is a proposal to require family members of nursing home residents to be responsible for a larger portion of care, in order to reduce nursing home utilization by 30%. An October 29, 2004 report from the National Senior Citizens Law Center cites the governor's intention to eliminate the entitlement to Medicaid-covered nursing home care in the state. The proposal also includes plans to shift funds from institutional care to home and community-based options, including expanded adult day care centers. Read:
http://tinyurl.com/4ce7l
2. Wisconsin issues paper on lifespan respite
The Respite Care Association of Wisconsin has made available this issue brief providing an overview of lifespan respite issues in the state. Included are the results of the state's Outcomes Evaluation Project, which found that respite delayed or prevented institutional alternatives, and that respite services may reduce health care costs of family caregivers because of lower stress. Download:
http://www.respitecarewi.org/pdfs/isspap.pdf
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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3. HHS awards next round of Systems Change grants
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $31 million in grants to 31 states to help people with disabilities or long-term illnesses live in their homes. The goal of the grants is to help states and other eligible entities improve their home and community-based services programs. A total of 52 grants were awarded for projects that include the development of single points of entry for individuals who are at risk of institutionalization; a coordinated transportation system; comprehensive client assessment instruments and procedures; and the integration of the financing and delivery of acute and long-term care services for older individuals and individuals with physical disabilities. Details:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20041005a.html
4. Cash and Counseling expands to 11 new states
The original three-state Cash & Counseling program will be expanded to another 11 new states that will receive three-year grants of approximately $250,000 each to replicate and expand the program. Cash and Counseling allows people eligible to receive supportive services through Medicaid to direct their own care and live more independently. The 11 new states (joining Arkansas, Florida and New Jersey) include Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. More info:
http://www.cashandcounseling.org
5. New caregiving legislation
Two new pieces of caregiving legislation have been introduced in Congress. The Comprehensive Long-Term Care Support Act of 2004 (H.R. 5110) would double the funding for the NFCSP (to $250 million), provide for a $3,000 caregiver tax credit, and allow the deduction of the cost of long-term care insurance premiums. The Long-Term Care Support and Incentive Act of 2004 (H.R. 4432) includes a $4,000 caregiver tax credit. Info:
http://thomas.loc.gov/
6. AoA publications for National Family Caregivers Month
The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) has made available a range of materials for National Family Caregivers month, including 21 consumer-oriented caregiving fact sheets. Publications cover a range of topics, including working caregivers, transportation, consumer direction, taking care of yourself, and home modifications. Other materials are also available. Download:
http://www.aoa.gov/press/nfc_month/nfc_month.asp
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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7. New study on caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease
The National Alliance for Caregiving and the Alzheimer's Association announced the release of a new study on caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. "Families Care: Alzheimer's Caregiving in the United States" found that family members caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or mental confusion are more likely to be providing the most difficult kinds of care - e.g., bathing, feeding, and dealing with incontinence - and spend more time providing care than other caregivers. Download:
http://www.caregiving.org/alzcaregivers04.pdf
8. 2003 Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease
The National Institute on Aging has released this comprehensive report on the status of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Included are descriptions of the impact of AD, current understanding of the possible causes of AD, research into new techniques for diagnosis, and studies of AD treatment. The report also includes a section on improving support for caregivers. View:
http://www.alzheimers.org/pr03/index.asp
9. "Measuring the Years: State Trends & Indicators"
The National Governors Association has made available this report designed to identify current trends and future directions related to an aging America, and to assist state policymakers in creating programs and policies that respond to unique needs of the people in their state. The report addresses a range of caregiving issues, including state support for family caregivers, older caregivers, and the shift to home and community-based services. Download:
http://www.nga.org/center/databook04/
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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10. Aging and Mental Health articles on family caregivers
The September 2004 edition of the Journal of Aging and Mental Health includes a range of articles addressing family caregiver issues. Included are: "Measurement of leisure time satisfaction in family caregivers"; "Religiosity and the expansion of caregiver stress"; and "Associations of caregiver stressors and uplifts with subjective well-being and depressive mood: a meta-analytic comparison". Abstracts:
http://journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/link.asp?id=9dkv36mpw02cxdq7
11. ALS and family caregiving
The September 2004 edition of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Other Motor Neuron Disorders includes "Breaking the news: A survey of ALS patients and their caregivers". Researchers found that "there is room for improvement in breaking the news of the diagnosis of ALS. Greater adherence to certain attributes of effective communication of bad news may improve the way physicians perform this difficult task." Abstract:
http://journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/link.asp?id=52250m5nh8gdw84w
12. Family caregiving at the end of life
The September/October 2004 edition of the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine includes "Family caregiver satisfaction with care at end of life: report from the cultural variations study (CVAS)." According to the authors, "findings indicate that although dying at home appears to provide a more peaceful death for the patient, it may also distance family caregivers from health professionals and leave them feeling less supported during the patient's last days of life." Abstract:
http://www.pnpco.com/pn01000.html
13. Creative arts interventions for family caregivers
The November 2004 edition of the Journal of Nursing Scholarship includes "Testing the efficacy of a creative-arts intervention with family caregivers of patients with cancer." Researchers found that the creative arts intervention, "promoted short-term well-being in this family caregiver sample. Caregivers also increased positive communication with cancer patients and health care providers while expressing delight over their handmade pieces of art." Abstract:
http://www.journalofnursingscholarship.org/
CONFERENCES & TRAININGS
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14. National HCBS Waiver conference
The National Home and Community Based Services Waiver conference is the only national conference designed to meet the unique training needs of the professionals who administer and operate the HCBS Waiver programs around the country. The conference will be held May 15 - 18, 2005 in Orlando. Info:
http://www.nasua.org/waiverconference/
15. Alzheimer's Association Annual Public Policy Forum
The 2005 forum will be held in Washington, D.C. from April 30 - May 3, 2005. The event includes an opportunity to talk one-on-one with legislators, as well as hone advocacy skills, network with peers and learn about the latest policy victories. Additional details:
http://www.alz.org/Events/PPF.asp
16. ASA offers trainings on older driver issues
The American Society on Aging (ASA) will offer, free of charge, two web seminars for professionals who work with older adults and their family caregivers. The schedule of seminars is: Dementia and Driving: Issues & Resources, Wednesday, November 10, 10:00 am (Pacific time); Medications and the Older Adult Driver: A Prescription for Disaster, Wednesday, November 17, 10:00 AM (Pacific time); and Senior Transportation Options: Problems and Solutions, Thursday, December 9, 10:00 AM. More info:
http://www.asaging.org/webseminars/websem.cfm?EventID=11710
17. Teleclasses for family caregivers
Caregiver specialist Denise Brown will host a free teleclass on online support groups. Family Caregivers: Phoning In Your Support will take place on Wednesday, November 10 at 2 PM (central time). The teleclass will be one hour in length and is free of charge (except for the cost of the phone call). Details:
http://www.caregiving.com/pros/HTML/teleclass_pros.htm
18. ASA-NCOA conference to be held March 10 - 13, 2005
The 2005 Joint Annual Meeting of the American Society on the Aging (ASA) and the National Council on the Aging (NCOA) will be held March 10 - 13 in Philadelphia. As in years past, a range of family caregiving issues will be addressed, including a preconference intensive on caregiving coalitions; an outcome-based system for assuring the quality of caregiver support services; and boomers facing care for aging parents. The National Center on Caregiving at Family Caregiver Alliance will also present results from our recent 50-state study, the State of the States in Family Caregiver Support. Conference details:
http://www.agingconference.org
FUNDING, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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19. Public education campaign on family caregiving
The National Family Caregivers Association and the National Alliance for Caregiving, in partnership with Eisai Inc., have launched a new public education campaign reaching out to family caregivers with critical information they need to take better care of themselves and their loved ones. Using a multimedia approach, the campaign employs public service announcements and the Internet to deliver needed information to caregivers. More info:
http://www.familycaregiving101.org
20. Alzheimer's disease educational events
The National Council on Aging is seeking senior centers around the country to host educational events on Alzheimer's disease late this year or early next year. Sharing Care is an online information and support resource for Alzheimer's caregivers and their families. There is no cost to host a seminar, and the center will receive an honorarium for use of its facilities. Sessions will take approximately one hour; a local nurse practitioner or physician will make a presentation on Alzheimer's disease and answer questions. More info:
http://www.ncoa.org/content.cfm?sectionID=65&detail=726
21. Medicare consumer guide for beneficiaries and family caregivers
The Kaiser Family Foundation has made available "Talking About Medicare", a guide to help people on Medicare and their family caregivers make informed decisions about health care issues. Included are answers to basic questions about Medicare eligibility and coverage; a chapter devoted to the new Medicare prescription drug law and its implications for consumers; information on supplemental insurance options, the Medicare Advantage program, and long-term care issues; and a state-by-state list of key agencies that can answer more specific questions. Download:
http://www.kff.org/talkingaboutmedicare
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Caregiving PolicyDigest is a publication of the National Center on Caregiving, a program of Family Caregiver Alliance.
©2004 Family Caregiver Alliance
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