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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. Arizona and other states consider paid family leave legislation
The Arizona legislature is considering a bill (S.B. 334) that would provide up to six weeks of paid family leave to care for a sick parent, spouse or new child. The Massachusetts legislature is considering similar provisions contained in the bill H. 2383, while a New Jersey proposal (A. 224) would provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave.
Link to the Arizona legislature: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/
Link to the Massachusetts legislature: http://www.state.ma.us/legis
Link to the New Jersey legislature: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us
2. Louisiana addresses attendant care policies
In response to the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, as well as a recent lawsuit, the state of Louisiana has agreed to create and fund a personal care attendant program as one way to increase home and community-based alternatives in the state. According to "The Advocate," however, debate in the state's legislature may result in a re-allocation of the funds. Read more:
http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/062003/leg_leery001.shtml
3. Maine to change home and community-based services
The Maine Bureau of Elder and Adult Services has proposed changes to home and community-based care options in the state. Services affected by the change would include respite care, self-directed care options, homemaker services, adult day services and other programs. Additional details: http://www.state.me.us/dhs/beas/policy2003/
4. Virginia Olmstead plan
Virginia state officials are requesting public comments on the state's Olmstead Plan, "One Community - Draft Final Report of the Task Force to Develop an Olmstead Plan for Virginia." Several of the report's recommendations would provide additional supports to family caregivers. They include expanding the eligibility and award size of grant program for family and informal caregivers and increasing community mobility for persons with disabilities and their caregivers. Public comments are due by July 18, 2003. Download the report http://www.olmsteadva.com/finalreport.htm
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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5. Senate and House committees approve NFCSP appropriations
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor/HHS/Education has approved the spending bill that funds the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). Total approved funding is $149 million, approximately $6 million less than in fiscal year 2003. In contrast, the House subcommittee has recommended $168 million in its version of the bill. Before becoming effective, the bill must be approved by both the full House and Senate, and then sent to the President. More information on the Senate legislation: http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/releases/record.cfm?id=205574
Details on the House bill: http://www.house.gov/appropriations/news/108_1/04lhfull.pdf
6. AoA launches virtual NFCSP Resource Room
The U.S. Administration on Aging has developed a resource webpage for the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). The website includes information on links to a variety of NFCSP information sources, including relevant fact sheets, regulations, program contacts, and other information. Visit the new site: http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/caregiver.asp
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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7. FCA releases new fact sheets on caregiving
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) has released a series of new fact sheets for consumers, policymakers and service providers on caregiving issues. The publications include: "Women and Caregiving: Facts and Figures"; "Medicare: What Caregivers Need to Know"; "Relocating Your Parents"; "Holding a Family Meeting"; "Taking Care of You"; and "Controlling Frustration." All publications are available on the FCA website, which was recently named a "Best of the Web" site by Forbes magazine: http://www.caregiver.org
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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8. Articles in June edition of Dementia
The June 2003 edition of Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice includes a variety of articles that address caregiver issues. Articles include: "Dementia and family care: the current international state of affairs"; "A support group for caregivers of patients with frontotemporal dementia" "Costs and consequences for the carers of people with dementia in Ireland"; and "African American dementia caregivers: the duality of respect." The abstracts can be viewed:
http://www.sagepub.co.uk/journals/details/j0323.html
9. Dementia and the family
The following book reviews are included in the May/June 2003 edition of the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease: "Handbook of Dementia Caregiving: Evidence-Based Interventions for Family Caregivers" and "Innovative Interventions to Reduce Dementia Caregiver Distress: A Clinical Guide." More information: http://www.pnpco.com/pn02009.html
CONFERENCES, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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10. AoA "Caring Communities" conference
The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) will hold a "National Summit on Creating Caring Communities" from September 21 - 23, 2003 in Orlando, Florida. Sessions will include: Rebalancing the Long-Term Care System from Institutional to Home/Community-Based Care; Lifestyle Choices through Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; and Family Caregiving and Home/Community-Based Supports. Registration and other details: http://www.hsrnet.net/AoASummit/
11. Online workshop for practitioners
"Caring And Connecting," a new continuing education online workshops for
caregiving practitioners, is now accepting registrants. Sponsored by The Gerontology Center of Boston University, the focus of this interactive workshop project is to learn about the variety of Internet resources for current work and practice needs, and to build an interdisciplinary learning and supportive community online with colleagues in different locations. Continuing Education Units and workshop (for a fee) and continuing community online year-round at no cost. Register: http://www.bu.edu/gerontology/Eldercare/caringandconnecting.htm
12. NPR story on Alzheimer's disease and immigrants
"All Things Considered" on National Public Radio (NPR) aired a story addressing Alzheimer's disease and immigrants. The June 18, 2003 story indicated that by 2010, one-fourth of the people in the United States with Alzheimer's will be members of racial and ethnic minorities. It is significant because many suffering from the disease are members of immigrant families and frequently younger and older family members have different views about medicine and caregiving. Download the audio file:
http://discover.npr.org/rundowns/rundown_calendar/calendar.jhtml?prgId=2
13. NIA funding available
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has announced the availability of funding for research in the demography and economics of health and aging. Focus areas for research include: trends in chronic disease and disability; health systems; living arrangements; and policy simulations. A letter of intent is due by September 22, 2003. More details:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-04-001.html
14. NIH conference on physical disabilities
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will sponsor the free conference, "Physical Disabilities Through the Lifespan." The goal of the conference is to (1) identify gaps in scientific knowledge about the special problems of aging for individuals with disabilities; and (2) inform public policy on issues related to aging and disability. The conference will take place on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Conference details: http://physicaldisabilities.iqsolutions.com/
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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.
©2003 Family Caregiver Alliance
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