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New National Profile of Caregivers of Frail Elders
An article in The Gerontologist (Volume 46, Number 3) offers an updated profile of family caregivers of frail elders. Using data from the 1989 and 1999 National Long-Term Care Survey and Informal Caregiver Survey, researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed nationally representative profiles of disabled older adults and their primary informal caregivers. On average, those receiving care were older and more disabled in 1999 than in 1989. The proportion of spouse caregivers was relatively stable across this decade, but the likelihood of adult children being caregivers increased. In addition, there were significant increases in the proportion of caregivers providing help on a daily basis.
New Web Tool on Care Options for Families
The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a new Web tool to help individuals and family caregivers find care options ranging from home and community-based care to assisted living and nursing home care. The tool allows users to input personalized information, special needs, abilities and preferences, and receive a customized summary report with care recommendations and specific questions to ask potential care providers.
Handbook on Making Medical Decisions for Someone Else
The American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, in collaboration with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, has published a handbook to help families make difficult medical decisions for a loved one. The handbook was created for Marylanders but can be used as a model for other states when developing informational materials for caregivers. The guide discusses ways to prepare for the role of health care proxy or agent for a family member or friend, and lists resources to support people in this role.
Training Videos for Family Caregivers
Healing Arts Communication, a company that produces informational and training videos and DVDs on caregiving and other long-term care topics, has added new programs to its collection. The series of caregiving programs focuses on topics like measuring vital signs, managing medications, helping someone use a wheelchair, personal care, and caregiver wellness.
Aging Parents and Common Sense: A Directory of Resources for
You and Your Parents
AXA Financial, with assistance from the National Alliance for Caregiving, has developed a resource directory of organizations and services that are helpful to family caregivers and older adults. Each listing in the directory includes a brief description and contact and Web site information. For more information, visit:
Self-Care and Support for Family Caregivers
The National Cancer Institute has created three publications for caregivers, focusing on family caregivers’ needs for information and support. While the booklets are written for families and friends of cancer patients, the information is applicable to anyone caring for someone with long-term care needs.
Assessment of National and State Programs for Caregiver Services
A new report entitled Caregiving: A National Profile and Assessment of Caregiver Services and Needs from the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, investigates the caregiver support services that currently exist and the services that are still needed at the national and state levels. Researchers worked with data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and other caregiver interviews to create national and state profiles of caregiver support programs, usage and unmet needs, and caregiving prevalence. The report concludes that more education about available caregiver support is needed because caregivers often do not know where to turn for information and services.
Updated Guide: Medicare Drug Benefit for Consumers and Their Caregivers
The Kaiser Family Foundation has released an updated, online consumer guide for individuals considering enrolling in the Medicare Part D benefit. The comprehensive guide is designed to help people with Medicare coverage and their families understand the options and make decisions about the new benefit.
Emergency Readiness for Older Adults and Caregivers
The Administration on Aging has issued a planning guide for older adults and caregivers to be prepared for emergencies. The publication includes an emergency readiness checklist of contact information and supplies, as well as a list of other helpful resources.
Conferences & Trainings
American Society on Aging 2006 Autumn Series on Aging
September 25-28, 2006
San Francisco, CA
Caregiver Health as a Public Health Issue Conference
September 26, 2006
Washington, DC
For more information, contact Aileen Worrell
Conference on Home and Community Supports
October 3-6, 2006
Minneapolis, MN
2006 Annual National Respite and Caregiver Conference
October 25-27, 2006
Omaha, Nebraska
The Professional Education Center of the Jewish Home & Hospital Lifecare System
Fifth International Palliative Care in the 21st Century Conference
November 15, 2006
New York, NY
Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Meeting
November 16-20, 2006
Dallas, TX
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