| National Family Caregivers Month
Program Champions
11/08/2004
West Texas Cares
PO Box 60050
San Angelo, TX 76906
The West Texas Cares project is a collaborative initiative between the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute for Healthy Aging and six Area Agencies on Aging in the West Texas region. The project is focused on outreach and education to address unmet needs of rural family caregivers in the region. Some problems being addressed are caregiver self-identification, AAA recognition as a service provider, assisting caregivers to make a smooth transition into the role, and caregiver awareness of services that are available in rural areas.
A variety of outreach projects and materials have been produced so far. A public service announcement (PSA) has been completed, and is intended to assist rural West Texas family caregivers in connecting with their AAA. A poster was also developed in conjunction with the PSA. A website (www.westtexascares.com), two videos and a newspaper article that was sent to over 100 rural newspapers were also created by West Texas Cares. Caregivers in the region are becoming more aware of services available through the AAAs as all agencies participating in the project are experiencing an increased number of inquiries about services.
West Texas Cares feels that this program would be easy to replicate in any area, urban or rural, since one of the most important elements is the willingness of AAAs to collaborate with each other and with other entities with similar goals and client bases. The various partners in this collaboration learned that by joining together they are able to reach a much wider population of caregivers and affect them more positively than if working alone.
11/05/2004
Jewish Family and Vocational Service
3587 Dutchmans Lane
Louisville, KY 40205
The Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Louisville, Kentucky recognizes that the ease of access is a key element to utilizing caregiver services. Support groups, mini- resource fairs held at worksites, in-office corporate training sessions and individual counseling and training provided through home visits and via the telephone are all key elements of the JFVS program. All training sessions focus on caregiver self-care, community resources, boundary setting, enlisting the support of family, managing relationship issues with the older adult, stress reduction, the aging process and long-term care planning.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers provide counseling to address issues of caregiver stress, depression, relationship issues and loss. Support groups provide opportunities for mutual problem solving, education and support. Mini Resource Fairs are held at the worksite to educate caregivers and potential caregivers regarding community resources.
The key element to this program’s success is the program’s flexibility. By offering services through the workplace, home, telephone, or other sites, the program was user-friendly and always only a phone call away.
11/04/2004
Erie County Caregiver Coalition
95 Franklin St., Rm. 1301
Buffalo, NY 14202
The Eire County Caregiver Coalition (ECCC) was formed in April of 2002, inspired by the PBS special, “And Thou Shalt Honor.” Numerous local agencies dealt with caregiving issues, but there was no unifying structure to encourage agencies and organizations to work together for the benefit of all involved. Thus the ECCC was created.
The mission of the ECCC is to promote community awareness, sensitivity to, and action around caregiving issues. ECCC’s goals are to bring resources to caregivers in the community through annual events and training opportunities; disseminate caregiver related information to specific professional populations; and be a source of current information around caregiver-related legislation and other pertinent issues, thereby encouraging agencies and individuals to take action to promote social change. Some products produced include a “tips for Caregivers” brochure and several informational lists for resources for caregivers.
11/03/2004
Shenandoah AAA
207 Mosby Lane
Front Royal, VA 22630
Our Place is a group respite center for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia who are unable to be alone during the day. Our Place provides structured, appropriate daily activities for men and women, an individual plan of care, socialization, crafts, music, exercise, other activities, snacks, and a hot lunchtime meal. Caregivers also benefit from information and assistance, support group meetings and a resource library.
The opening of Our Place in March of 2004 provided the first social model group respite care for Alzheimer’s families in the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Our Place provided caregivers the respite they needed to continue caring for their loved ones at home. In addition, when the need for a daytime support group became evident, one was formed that now meets two afternoons a month.
11/02/2004
RAPPJAXX- “Relatives as Parents Program of Jacksonville”
Northeast Florida AAA
4401 Wesconnett Blvd. 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32210
The RAPPJAX Program is designed to assist grandparents and other relatives raising children with support, information, referral and intervention services that encourage and reinforce positive family relationships. The assistance is provided through educational/support groups, an information/resource line, speaker workshops, a quarterly newsletter, family outings as well as respite, a Kinship Caregiver Guide, quarterly clothing exchanges, direct counseling and advocacy support. The issue being addressed is one of supporting and empowering kinship caregivers in their work toward building and maintaining a strong family unit.
The key elements that make this effort work are ongoing financial support, marketing and community involvement and respect for the kinship caregivers that voluntarily participate in the RAPPJAX Program. However, developing a program of this nature takes time and patience. Kinship caregivers appreciate a program that offers ongoing and consistent support and services. They are also more likely to participate in anything that is offered within their immediate community that will provide information and resources to assist them in their caregiving responsibilities.
11/01/2004
Martin Luther King Multi Service Center
40 West 40 th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208
Second Time Around provides comprehensive services and programming to grandparents who are raising grandchildren full-time. The program offers bi-monthly support groups, educational/skill-building forums, monthly field trips, respite activities, home visits, links to community resources and case management. It also provides fun experiences for grand-family members to discover the best in each other, while making friends with other grand-families.
The overall focus of this program is to meet the needs of a growing population of seniors who care for a grandchild or grandchildren without any preparedness for the financial and emotional impact they are taking on. The Center’s response to that need four years ago has emerged as one of the premiere programs of its kind in the state
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Dept. of Health & Human Services
