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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. Florida Dept. of Elder Affairs progress report
The Florida Department of Elder Affairs has made available the semiannual installment of their Management Improvement Plan. The report highlights progress made in several areas, including evaluation of the Long-Term Care Community Diversion Pilot Project and standardized monitoring and oversight of the state's Area Agencies on Aging. Upcoming objectives include implementation of a dementia-specific Medicaid home and community-based waiver; creating a greater network of support and services for elders and their caregivers; and making services more "customer-friendly." Read the report: http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/doea/english/MgmUPDATE/MIP3731.pdf
2. Kansas forum on family caregivers
According to an August 27, 2003 article in the Kansas City Star, a recent town hall meeting highlighted the important contribution of family and informal caregivers. The City Star noted that, "the burdens on adult children who care for elderly parents pose a growing crisis for America." Also noted was how caregiver support services help ease the burdens of providing care. Read the article: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/6624833.htm
3. NGA to focus on caregiving, long-term care
The incoming president of the National Governors Association (NGA), Governor Dirk Kempthorne (Idaho), has announced a new chairman's initiative on long-term care issues. "A Lifetime of Health and Dignity - Confronting Long-Term Care Challenges in America," will address a variety of long-term care concerns facing Americans, including caring for elderly parents, dealing with chronic illnesses and struggling with diminished financial resources. Additional info: http://www.nga.org/nga/newsRoom/1,1169,C_PRESS_RELEASE^D_5845,00.html
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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4. Federal caregiver funds may be approved in September
The federal bill that funds services for the elderly, including the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), is expected to be considered by Congress after the August recess. Before the brief adjournment, a House committee approved $168.5 million for FY 2004 for the NFCSP, while a Senate committee approved $155.2 million. The spending measure must be approved by both houses of Congress, as well as the President, before it takes effect. Current NFCSP funding is $155.2 million. Details:
http://www.ncoa.org/attachments/Chart%206%2D27%2D03%2Edoc
5. AoA "Take A Loved One to the Doctor" day
The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) has joined forces with the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged (NCBA) and the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) to celebrate "Take Your Loved One to the Doctor" day, September 16, 2003. The event is part of a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services campaign, "Closing the Health Gap 2003." Event information: http://www.healthgap.omhrc.gov/
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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6. New FCA publications on Skills Training & Work Place Programs
The National Center on Caregiving at Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) has released two new publications: "Practical Skills Training for Family Caregivers" and "WorkPlace Programs for Family Caregivers: Good Business and Good Practice." Both are written by experts in the field and are available for download: http://www.caregiver.org
7. 2003 Family Care Conference report
The National Alliance for Caregiving has released the report from their 2003 International Conference on Family Care. An extended version of the conference report includes "how to" guides from three 2002 Caregiving Best Practice Award Winners: Carers NSW (Australia), Caregiver Support Center of CLSC Rene-Cassin (Canada) and Family Caregiver Alliance (US). The guide outlines the steps each award winner took to develop their successful caregiver programs. Download: http://www.caregiving.org
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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8. Caregiver articles in The Gerontologist
Results from the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (REACH) study are included in a variety of articles in the August 2003 edition of The Gerontologist. Articles include: "Effects of an Automated Telephone Support System on Caregiver Burden and Anxiety: Findings From the REACH for TLC Intervention Study:" "Primary Care Interventions for Dementia Caregivers: 2-Year Outcomes From the REACH Study:" and "Effects of the Home Environmental Skill-Building Program on the Caregiver-Care Recipient Dyad: 6-Month Outcomes From the Philadelphia REACH Initiative." Abstracts are available: http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org/current.shtml
9. Review of community services for caregivers
"Family caregivers' experiences with community services: a qualitative analysis" is included in the September/October 2003 edition of Public Health Nursing. The author found that "barriers to service use included care receiver resistance, reluctance of the caregiver, hassles for the caregiver, concerns over quality, and concerns over finances. These findings provide direction for community nurses and other health professionals in targeting interventions that will meet the expressed needs of caregivers." View the abstract:
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/issue.asp?ref=0737-1209&vid=20&iid=5&oc=&s=
10. Research on Aging articles on caregiving
"Parent Care, Intergenerational Relationship Quality, and Mental Health of Adult Daughters" and "Issues in Caregivers' Stress and Providers' Support" are included in the September 2003 edition of Research on Aging. More information about the journal or to order a sample copy: http://www.sagepub.com/journalTOC.aspx?pid=115&sc=1
CONFERENCES, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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11. Caregiving workshop leader training
The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) will hold a training in conjunction with their Communicating Effectively with Healthcare Professionals project. The project will train workshop leaders from around the country to use the project curriculum and present workshops for family caregivers in their local communities. The next two-day invitational training conference will take place September 25 - 26, 2003 in San Francisco. More details: www.nfcacares.org
12. Palliative care grant awards
The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC), a national program of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), recently committed $4.5 million to increase the availability of palliative care in hospitals throughout the nation. The funding will help hospital-based palliative care programs develop with the assistance of hands-on intensive training focused on the financial and operational aspects of building a program. The goal of these programs will be to provide expert pain and symptom control, coordination of care and practical support for family caregivers and their loved ones. Details: http://www.capc.org/site_root/News/news_217163053.html
13. Alzheimer's disease conference
The 19th International Conference of Alzheimer's Disease International will be held from October 15 - 18, 2003 in Boca Chica (near the island of Santo Domingo), Dominican Republic. This year's theme is "Discovering Dementia." Conference topics will include involving people with dementia; mild cognitive impairment; supporting family and informal caregivers; vascular dementia; and the latest medical advances. All sessions will have simultaneous translations in English and Spanish. More details: http://www.alzheimer.com.do/
14. Aging, Disability and Independence conference
The International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence: Advancing Technology & Services to Promote Quality of Life will be held December 4 - 6, 2003 in Arlington, Virginia. The goal of the conference is to integrate research, practice, business and consumer perspectives. Sessions will focus on assistive technology; home and workplace modifications; injury prevention techniques; universal design in mainstream products; new high technology products and applications; and new mobility and transportation options. Conference details: http://www.asaging.org/icadi
15. Well Spouse Foundation events
The Well Spouse Foundation - an association of spousal caregivers - will hold their 15th annual conference, "Strengthening Ties and Making Connections," from October 24 - 26, 2003. The conference will be held at the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina in Newport, Rhode Island. The foundation is also sponsoring a respite weekend for interested parties living on the east coast, to be held from September 12 - 14, 2003 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Event details: http://www.wellspouse.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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©2003 Family Caregiver Alliance
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