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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. Alaska posts draft data on seniors, caregivers
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has made available a draft of a publication showing the current status of programs funded through Senior Grant Services. "Senior Program Data" includes information on the state's caregiver support programs and services. Grantees and the public are invited and encouraged to review and comment on the document. Download:
http://health.hss.state.ak.us/dsds/SeniorData.pdf
2. Kansas updates guide to care options
The Kansas Department of Aging has updated "Explore Your Options! A Kansas Guide to Information and In-Home Services." The purpose of the book is to provide information about community services to best meet the needs of older people and their family caregivers in the state. The guide includes information about caregiver support services, including respite care, support groups, and information about Alzheimer's disease and other chronic health problems. Download:
http://www.agingkansas.org/kdoa/publications/eyo/index.htm
3. Montana launches "Live! On the Web"
The Montana Department of Health and Human Services has developed a comprehensive website for information on personal assistance services in the state. Live! on the Web was created as an online resource for people with disabilities who require assistance with daily living activities. The site includes information for family members, personal care attendants, service providers and others interested in in-home care. Access:
http://www.dphhs.state.mt.us/sltc/
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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4. Sen. Snowe introduces bill to make tax credit refundable
Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) has introduced legislation (S. 2030) to make the existing federal dependent care tax credit refundable. The proposed change would mean that more families could take advantage of the credit. Currently, earnings have to meet a certain threshold before the credit can be taken. Also included is a provision that would allow up to $1,200 of respite care expenses to be applied towards the credit. Details:
http://thomas.loc.gov/
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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5. Issue brief on support for family caregivers
The Long-Term Care Financing Project at Georgetown University has made available the issue brief "Long-term care: Support for family caregivers." The brief includes data on the characteristics of informal caregivers; the types of assistance that caregivers provide; and the rewards and challenges experienced by informal caregivers. Download:
http://ltc.georgetown.edu/pdfs/caregivers.pdf
6. Cultural competence in health care addressed in new publication
A February 2004 issue brief developed by the Center for an Aging Society explores cultural diversity and the needs of persons with chronic health conditions. The authors of "Cultural Competence in Health Care: Is it important for people with chronic conditions?" assert that a culturally competent health care system can help improve health outcomes and quality of care, and can contribute to the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities. One strategy to increase cultural competence is to include family and community members in health care decision making. Download:
http://ihcrp.georgetown.edu/agingsociety/pubhtml/cultural/cultural.html
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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7. Family caregivers of persons with dementia
The March 2004 edition of The Gerontologist includes "Family caregiver satisfaction with the nursing home after placement of a relative with dementia." According to the authors "higher satisfaction is associated with earlier stage of dementia, greater length of time involved in caregiving prior to institutionalization, higher visitation frequency, less involvement in hands-on care, greater expectations for care, and less workforce participation." Abstract:
http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org/
8. Call for submissions: professional resources on Mental Health & Aging
The Editorial Board of Dimensions, the quarterly newsletter of American Society on Aging's Mental Health and Aging Network (MHAN), is planning a special issue entirely devoted to capsule reviews of resources recommended by MHAN members and other professionals in the field. Topics include Alzheimer's disease; caregiving and mental health sequelae; long-term care issues as related to mental health; and worklife and aging issues as related to mental health. The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2004. Contact:
http://www.asaging.org/mhan
FUNDING, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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9. Grants available for dementia-specific programs
The Brookdale Foundation has announced the availability of funding for the development of dementia-specific, social-model day programs. New grantees will receive seed grants in the amount of $7,500. Applications are due by July 8, 2004. More information:
http://www.brookdalefoundation.org
10. Washington Post: Tax Tips for Caregivers
The March 7, 2004 edition of the Washington Post includes "Easing Burden on Caregivers." The article provides information on a variety of tax deductions that caregivers may take advantage of, including the dependent care tax credit; home modifications/improvements made to accommodate a chronic health condition; and medical expenses paid for a parent or spouse. Download:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36987-2004Mar6.html
11. NPR story on stress, caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease
National Public Radio (NPR) recently aired a story examining how stress decreases the body's ability to fight disease and leads to major long-term medical problems. The story also discusses recent findings by Ohio state researchers which indicate that test groups under the greatest stress - elderly caregivers of Alzheimer's patients - have the highest levels of stress-produced hormones that make self-healing more difficult. These effects on caregivers are irreversible. Download:
http://www.npr.org/rundowns/rundown.php?prgDate=03-Mar-2004&prgId=17
12. "The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Bill" introduced in UK
New legislation for carers (family caregivers) has been introduced in the UK that will focus on health, information, employment and life-long learning issues for carers. The initiative has three main goals: to ensure that carers are given the information they need, including about their rights, to make informed decisions about their lives; to ensure that carers' health, in its broadest sense, is positively considered by social services; and to help to give carers more opportunities in education, training, and employment. More information:
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2004/rp04-013.pdf
or http://www.carersonline.org.uk
13. "Resources for Caregivers 2004" now available
The National Alliance for Caregiving has teamed with Metlife Mature Market Institute and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging to provide resources for families who have caregiving responsibilities. The brochure provides contact information for national organizations that provide financial, legal and other assistance to caregivers, as well as a listing of books, videos and other resources. Download:
http://www.caregiving.org/Resources%20for%20Caregivers.pdf
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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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