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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. Michigan guide to hiring in-home help
The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging has made available "Hiring Paid Caregivers for In-Home Services." The guide was developed for consumers and families and covers a wide array of issues, including making the decision to supplement family care; screening paid caregivers; criminal background checks; and supervision of formal care providers. Read:
http://www.miseniors.net/MiSeniors+Home/
2. New York report on long-term care reform
New York's Health Care Reform Working Group has issued an interim report providing recommendations to make the state's health care system more effective. The report makes recommendations regarding comprehensive Medicaid and long-term care reform. The report also recognizes the contributions of family caregivers and the need to ensure easily accessible services and supports for families. Download:
http://aging.state.ny.us/explore/health-ltc/index.htm
3. Vermont seeks new HCBS waiver
The Vermont Department of Aging and Disabilities (DAD) has applied to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement an 1115 (c) Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver. The waiver would replace current Medicaid waiver services and would expand access for adults with physical disabilities and frail elders. In the application, DAD indicates a possible expansion of service geared towards preventing caregiver burnout. Further details:
http://www.dad.state.vt.us/1115waiver/1115default.htm
4. Washington state report on long-term care providers
The Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has conducted a survey of long-term care providers in the state. The purpose of the survey was to obtain feedback from providers on DSHS strengths and weaknesses. Included were providers of caregiver support services; one recommendation was for increased interaction between social workers and families. Access:
http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/rda/research/11/108/d.report.pdf
5. Wisconsin "Lessons Learned" on Aging/Disability Resource Centers
The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services has made available "Lessons Learned During the Implementation of Wisconsin Family Care Aging and Disability Resource Centers." The publication includes details on start-up; information systems; and information and assistance (I&A) efforts. Read:
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/LTCare/pdf/ADRCLessonsLearned.pdf
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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6. Sen. Craig introduces caregiver tax relief legislation
Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), chair of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, has introduced legislation to provide a tax credit for caregivers. The Senior Eldercare Relief and Empowerment (SECURE) Act (S. 2072) provides a 50 percent tax credit for qualified expenses that exceed $1,000 for care provided to individuals age 65 or older. Senator Craig highlighted the need for such tax relief at a February 10, 2004 hearing before the committee. FCA provided written testimony for the hearing. Information:
http://aging.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=39
7. Paid family leave bill offered by Cong. Woolsey
Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) has introduced the Work Balancing Act of 2004 (H.R. 3780). The legislation provides federal grants to states to launch paid family leave programs. The bill includes a number of other provisions to assist working families, including a requirement that employers provide part-time and temporary employees with a pro-rata share of the benefits provided to full-time employees. Details:
http://thomas.loc.gov
8. House hearing on long-term care for veterans
The U.S. House of Representatives held a January 28, 2004 hearing on long-term care programs for veterans. Testimony addressed expanded home and community-based options; programs such as Partners in Dementia care which assist family caregivers of persons with dementia; and the results of various evaluation and satisfaction surveys. Several witnessed addressed the role of caregivers in veteran's health care. More information:
http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/schedule108/jan04/1-28-04/witness.html
9. CMS to accept public comments via website
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will now accept online comments on proposed federal regulations. In addition to comments on proposed or final regulations, the new CMS system will be open for comment on other documents, including policy notices soliciting public input and notices asking for other information, such as nominations for advisory committees. Comments accepted:
http://www.regulations.gov
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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10. AARP report "The State of 50+ America"
This new publication by AARP is a "report card" to measure the progress of Americans 50+ in the last 10 years. Included in the report is data on family and informal caregivers, including the finding that about 10% of persons 50+ have a substantial caregiving burden. Read:
http://research.aarp.org/general/fifty_plus_2004.pdf
11. "Global Report on Aging"
The Winter 2004 Global Aging Report by AARP provides a range of information on health, employment and other issues. The report includes a section on international approaches to long-term care financing and delivery. New Zealand's system is highlighted because of their program which provides residential care, home support and caregiver support services, all funded through national tax revenues and cost-sharing. Download:
http://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/articles/international/gra_winter_04.pdf
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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12. "Female Alzheimer's patient caregivers share their strength"
The January/February 2004 edition of the Journal of Holistic Nurse Practitioners includes this article which explores the relationship between caregiving and spirituality. The authors explain "this descriptive study explored the experience of AD caregiving in 14 older-women. A sample of African American and Caucasian participants presented spirituality and religion as essential aspects of their caregiving. Taking charge, adjusting/coping, making sense of the situation, and looking into the future were the themes that reflected spiritual/religious issues." Journal information:
http://www.sagepub.com/journal.aspx?pid=101
13. Mental health and caregiving
The April 2004 edition of the Journal of Social Science & Medicine includes "Employment status, social ties, and caregivers' mental health." According to the authors, "the purpose of this study of mid-life and older women was to assess the relation between informal care provision and depressive symptoms, taking into account concurrent demands on women's time (including multiple caregiving roles and employment outside the home) as well as participants' access to potentially supportive social ties." View:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02779536
14. JAMA article on end-of-life caregiving
The January 28, 2004 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) includes "Supporting family caregivers at the end of life: 'they don't know what they don't know'". The authors assert that "even for patients receiving complex, intensive medical care for serious and life-threatening illness, family caregiving is typically at the core of what sustains patients at the end of life. The amorphous relationship between physicians and the families of patients at the end of life presents both challenges and opportunities for which physicians may be unprepared. Families play important roles in the practical and emotional aspects of patient care and in decision making at the end of life. At the same time, family members may carry significant burdens as a result of their work. Through the perspectives of the wife, daughter, and home care nurse of a patient who died from pancreatic cancer, we illustrate the range of family caregiver experiences and suggest potentially helpful physician interventions." Read abstract:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/
15. Skill-building for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease
The February 2004 edition of the Journal of Residential Nursing Health includes "Alzheimer's disease caregiving information and skills. Part II: Family caregiver issues and concerns." The article describes "caregiver issues and concerns in five major areas: (a) dealing with change, (b) managing competing responsibilities and stressors, (c) providing a broad spectrum of care, (d) finding and using resources, and (e) experiencing emotional and physical responses to care." Journal information:
http://www.markallengroup.com/healthcare/nrc/index.htm
CONFERENCES
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16. "Family Caregivers in a Changing World"
Sponsored by the United Hospital Fund, this conference will be held March 4 - 5, 2004 in New York City. The conference will address research findings, innovative programs, policy, education, unmet needs and program development. More information:
http://www.uhfnyc.org
FUNDING, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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17. "Communicating Effectively with Healthcare Professionals"
The National Family Caregivers Association is sponsoring this training in Dallas from February 27-28, 2004. The goal of the training is to teach workshop leaders how to empower family caregivers to advocate more persuasively on behalf of their loved ones with the healthcare professionals providing treatment. Details:
http://www.nfcacares.org
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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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