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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. North Carolina consumer direction demonstration
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Long-Term Care, has announced the availability of funds to implement consumer-directed services within the state. The program aims to modify existing services to incorporate consumer direction in home and community-based care programs funded through the Social Services Block Grant, Home and Community Care Block Grant, Medicaid and state funds. More details: http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/ltc/cdreqdoc.pdf
2. Pennsylvania expands online access to long-term care services
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Application for Social Services (COMPASS) -- the state's online screening tool for social services -- has been expanded to include long-term care and some home and community-based services within the state. The expanded website will provide education about available services as well as allow interested persons to fill out applications online. More information: http://www.compass.state.pa.us
3. Tennessee posts legislative summary on aging bills
Tennessee has made available a summary of legislation affecting older residents in the state. While no caregiver-specific legislation has been filed, other bills include initiatives to eliminate the sales tax on food for low-income seniors, a reduction in persons served under the state's home and community-based Medicaid waiver serving older persons and an increase in the homestead exemption for older persons in the state. More details:
http://www.state.tn.us/comaging/report0302.doc
4. Texas releases aging report with caregiving section
"The State of our State in Aging" is the most recent report to address issues facing older persons in Texas. Included is a section on caregiving, highlighting several issues to pursue in the future: expanded research on the needs of Texas caregivers; increased public awareness; promotion of supportive work environments for caregivers; enhanced service delivery system for caregivers; and greater sensitivity to caregiver diversity. Download the report: http://www.tdoa.state.tx.us/DOCResearchandPlanning2.htm
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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5. Lifespan respite bill passes HELP committee
The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) recently passed the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2003 (S. 538). Introduced by U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, a House companion (H.R. 1083) has also been introduced. The legislation would provide funds to develop lifespan respite programs at both the state and national levels; provide emergency respite; train and recruit respite care workers; and train caregivers about respite care. The bipartisan legislation has nine cosponsors in the Senate. More details: http://www.chtop.com/ARCH/TForce.htm
6. U.S. Senate debates fiscal year 2004 budget
The U.S. Senate is currently debating the budget to fund government operations for fiscal year 2004. Though the federal budget does not specify funding at the program level, it does set the blueprint for appropriations and spending which will be debated later in 2003. Expected amendments include caregiver tax credits, Medicaid reform, Medicare prescription drug coverage and other long-term care issues. Additional information:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:s.con.res.00023:
7. CMS proposes respite demonstration
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced the creation of a respite demonstration project . The program, part of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative and included in the Fiscal Year 2004 budget, would create four demonstrations to add respite services within Medicaid's home and community-based care waivers. More details: http://www.cms.gov/newfreedom/nfi12303pr.asp
8. AoA launches enewsletter
The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) has announced that it will now distribute a monthly online newsletter. The newsletter will address issues of interest to the aging network including budget and fiscal matters, AoA events and a spotlight on grantees. Read the newsletter: http://www.aoa.gov/press/enewsletter/enewsletter.asp
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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9. "Medicare Basics: A Guide for Caregivers"
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has produced a brochure to assist caregivers in understanding the Medicare program. The publication includes information on Medicare options, benefits, local and national resources and other important information. Download the brochure: http://cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/materials/caregiversresources/default.asp
10. Employee caregiving workbook
"When Employees Become Caregivers: A Manager's Workbook," produced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provides detailed information for employers on employee caregiving. The workbook includes various ways to mitigate the impact of caregiving on employers, as well as information on how caregiving affects employees in the workplace. Read the workbook: http://cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/materials/caregiversresources/default.asp
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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11. Consumer direction for elderly people with disabilities
"The Growing Prominence of Independent Living and Consumer Direction as Principles in Long-Term Care: A Content Analysis and Implications for Elderly People with Disabilities" appears in The Elder Law Journal (v. 10, n. 2, 2002). The article addresses independent living among people with disabilities of all ages and its relationship to consumer directed services. Read the abstract: http://home.law.uiuc.edu/elderlaw
12. Caregivers of stroke survivors
The February 2003 edition of the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing includes "The Educational Needs of Caregivers of Stroke Survivors in Acute and Community Settings." The authors conclude that limited information is available to assist caregivers of stroke survivors, and that caregivers expressed concern about the availability of written and verbal information in both hospital and community settings. For more information: http://www.aann.org/pubs/journal
13. "Alzheimer's Disease Support Group Characteristics"
Addressing the role of support for Alzheimer's caregivers, "Alzheimer's Disease Support Group Characteristics: A Comparison of Caregivers" concludes that support groups lessen caregiver stress as well as that of the person with Alzheimer's disease. The article, as well as "Alzheimer's Disease from a Child's Perspective" appear in the January/February 2003 edition of Geriatric Nursing. The abstract is available:
http://www.mosby.com/Mosby/Periodicals/Nursing/GN/gn.html
CONFERENCES, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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14. Call for papers
The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research Health and Retirement Study (HRS) has issued a call for papers for a Research Conference on Older Families, to be held early in 2004. The deadline for proposals is July 15, 2003. Further details:
http://hrsonline.isr.umich.edu/news/sho_news.php?hfyle=news147&xtyp=1
15. Time Magazine article on sandwich generation caregivers
The March 17, 2003 edition of Time magazine includes an article discussing the challenges faced by many sandwich generation caregivers. "Providing for Parents: The 'sandwich generation' looks for new solutions" includes innovative solutions for families that are simultaneously caring for an aging parent and younger children. Read the article:http://www.time.com/time/magazine/
article/0,9171,1101030317-430851,00.html
16. Memory loss project recruiting online volunteers
The Oregon Center for Applied Science is recruiting volunteers to participate in an online evaluation of their Aging Family: Memory Loss Project. Paid volunteers would evaluate an Internet program to assist family members who are concerned about an older adult with memory problems. More information: http://www.agingfamily.org/controller/4010.php
17. International caregiving legislation
The National Alliance for Caregiving has added a section to their website on caregiving initiatives around the globe. Currently, the site has background information and legislation from eight countries, including Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. Access the website:
http://www.caregiving.org/intcaregiving/intlindex.htm
18. "Caring Counts" conference
The California Caregiver Resource Centers and AARP will host the "Caring Counts" conference May 12-13, 2003 in Sacramento, California. The conference will include sessions on practical skills for caregivers, and help launch a multi-year initiative to shape an affordable, accessible and seamless system of care that is responsive to the needs of caregivers and their loved ones. More information: http://www.caregiver.org/caring_counts.htm
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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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