Supporting Family Caregivers through the NC Family Caregiver Support Program

1. Supporting Family Caregivers through the NC Family Caregiver Support Program

2. Alicia Blater, M.S., APR Family Caregiver Support Program Consultant Lifespan Respite Project Director NC Division of Aging and Adult Services Alicia.blater@dhhs.nc.gov

3. In a 2009 MetLife study, more than three in ten U.S. households reported at least one person served as an unpaid family caregiver in the prior 12 months On average, the survey respondents had been providing care for average of 4.6 years, 20 hours per week Between 80-90% of long term care is provided by family caregivers – “backbone of the long term care system” Family Caregivers

4. Caregiver Tasks • Transportation, housework, shopping, meal preparation, managing finances • Giving medications and supervising paid services • Personal care, social connection • “I’m not a caregiver, I’m a daughter, grandmother, spouse, grand-daughter, son, etc.”

5. A Challenging Role • Can experience profound grief, feelings of anger, guilt, fear and isolation • Nearly half are clinically depressed at some point • 53% of caregivers who said their health had gotten worse due to caregiving also said the decline has affected their ability to provide care

6. The Older Americans Act • Established the Administration on Aging • Authorized grants to State Units on Aging • Authorized Area Agencies on Aging • Familiar programs & services (congregate and homebound nutrition, health promotion, in-home services, transportation, LTC ombudsman)

7. Title III-E of the OAA: the National Family Caregiver Support Program • Authorized in 2000, first major nationwide program initiatives since 1970s • Every state receives NFCSP funding (Relatively small amount of money) • Structure varies, all states charged with providing 5 types of services for family caregivers

8. 5 Service Areas • Information to caregivers about available services, • Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to the services; • Individual counseling, organization of support groups, and caregiver training to assist caregivers in the areas of health, nutrition, and financial literacy, and in making decisions and solving problems relating to their caregiving roles;

9. Service areas, continued • 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.

10. FCSP Client is the CAREGIVER • Eligible family caregivers are: • A person of any age providing unpaid care for an older adult age 60 or older OR providing care for a person with Alzheimer’s Disease or related brain disorder • An individual (who is not the birth or adoptive parent), age 55 or older, raising a relative child age 18 and under or an adult with a disability Priority consideration to persons caring for adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia, greatest social and economic need • Related brain disorder is both chronic and progressive

11. What the FCSP is Not • A direct payment to family caregivers • A full-time alternative • A program designed to purchase a lot of services for caregivers

12. Governing Philosophy • Administration on Aging issued a challenge to states and the aging network to “transition from an emphasis on service delivery to longer-term capacity building efforts to create an integrated system to support caregivers.” • Intended to be much more than a separate funding stream for a small set of services

13. How do Caregivers Access Services? • 16 Area Agencies on Aging • Each AAA has a FCSP specialist on staff • Core services similar, varying methods of delivery • Depends on available partners, local county management, needs of caregivers • All strive to provide information and assistance accessing services for caregivers