RESOURCES
National Family Caregiver Support Program
The enactment of the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000 established an important new program, the National Family Caregiver Support Program ("NFCSP"). The program calls for all states, working in partnership with area agencies on aging and local community service providers, to have five basic services for family caregivers. These services include:
- Information to caregivers about available services;
- Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services;
- Individual counseling, organization of support groups, and caregiver training to assist the caregivers in making decisions and solving problems relating to their caregiving roles;
- Respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities; and
- Supplemental services, on a limited basis, to complement the care provided by caregivers.
Currently funded at $155.2 million, this program has served more than 275,000 caregivers nationwide. Efforts regarding the NFSCP have resulted in new partnerships, improved access to services, outreach to special populations, and provision of services to respond to the unique needs of families.
Eligible populations are (1) family caregivers of older adults, and (2) grandparents and relative caregivers, age 60 years or older, of children no older than age 18 (including grandparents who are sole caregivers of grandchildren and of individuals who are affected by mental retardation or who have developmental disabilities). The statute requires states to give priority consideration to (1) persons in greatest social and economic need (with particular attention to low income individuals), and (2) older individuals providing care and support to persons with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities.
Visit the NFCSP's website for more information, or contact your county office on aging for services.
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Local Media Coverage
Caregivers Recognized: Family Caregivers Honored Nationally
Thursday, November 27, 2003 , Maui Weekly
Employees Who Provide Care to Elderly Relatives: A New Reality for Hawaii Businesses and Best Practices: When Employees Become Caregivers for the Elderly
By Paul Saito ( Monday, November 24, 2003 , Voice of Business)
Caregiver Resources in Honolulu
Interview with Lorraine Fay, Caregiver Specialist with the Elderly Affairs Division
Monday, November 17, 2003 , KHON
Caregiver Stress
Interview with Bill Duncan, caregiver, and Linda McLaughlin, Ph.D
Thursday, November 6, 2003 , KGMB
Working Caregivers of the Elderly: Issues, Costs, and Opportunities
By Wes Lum
November 2003, 'Aha 'Ilono
FYI: Women Caregivers
November 2003, Hawaii Woman Magazine
State's Grandparents Most Likely to Live with Grandchildren
By Timothy Hurley ( Friday, October 17, 2003 , Honolulu Advertiser):
Family Duties Jeopardize Caregiver's Future
By Rob Perez ( Sunday, October 12, 2003 , Honolulu Star Bulletin):
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Caregiver-Related Data and Statistics
Visit the following sites for on-line data, fact sheets, research, and many other types of information about caregiving (i.e. costs to employers, what healthcare professionals can do, caregiving issues, policy briefs, end-of-life issues, women and caregiving, statistics, etc.):
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Participate in Local Research
To better understand Hawaii 's family caregivers, research is being conducted to assess, among other things, caregiver attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge. Several projects are currently in the works. If you are a caregiver and would like to participate in these studies, please contact the principal investigator directly.
- The University of Hawaii Center on Aging's End-of-Life Care for Hawaii 's Ohana project, funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, National Family Caregiver Demonstration Project, is exploring the impact of group-targeted messages and individually tailored support on end-of-life planning by family caregivers of elders receiving long-term care services. For more information, please contact Dr. Harumi Karel at 956-8916 or Ana Zir at 956-5771.
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Federal Government Resources
- The U.S. Administration on Aging ("AoA") serves older adults and their families, enabling them to participate in a range of AoA supported services at the state and local levels including nutrition, transportation, senior centers, and homemaker services. Their website is a point of entry into the aging network with links to Area Agencies on Aging, press releases, and statistics. The AoA also operates the National Aging Information Center , which can be reached at 202-619-7501.
- Because We Care: A Guide for People Who Care is the AoA's online guide for family caregivers. Its intent is to help families handle the daily challenges that accompany caregiving. The site features a caregiver guide that includes topics such as how to maximize your loved one's independence and health; how to have a good quality of life while caregiving; where to turn for help with decisions about housing options and affordable long-term care; and coping with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. There is also information on avoiding burnout and instituting self-care regimens.
- The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the AoA, is a nationwide directory assistance service providing support resources for older adults, their families, and caregivers. 800-677-1116.
- FirstGov for Seniors, formerly 'Access America for Seniors', presents a wide range of information and government services. One of its objectives is to offer the convenience of conducting business with the government online, such as estimation of Social Security benefits, postage stamp purchases, and express mail package tracking.
- Medicare.gov is the official U.S. government site for information on Medicare. At this site consumers can search for information on health plans, nursing homes, dialysis facilities, Medigap policies, contacts, Medicare activities, participating physicians, and prescription drug assistance programs in their area. The site also provides information on Medicare basics such as eligibility, enrollment, Medicare cards, and replacement card ordering. 800-MEDICARE or 800-633-4227.
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Caregiver Support Groups
While many support groups are facilitated and organized by non-profit or government organizations, several support groups also convene informally and are not associated with any organization. These support groups include:
- Eldercare Support Group
Please contact Karen Koles at 299-1444 (pager) or visit their website
- Central Oahu Caregivers' Support Group
Please contact Lani Nedbalek at 625-0420 or visit their website
- Kauai 's North Shore Family Caregivers Support Group
Please contact Heidi Caglayan at 828-6417 or by e-mail at caglayans9@aol.com
Please refer to your county's office on aging to learn more about support groups that are offered in your community.
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