Caregivers

A certificate-based instructional program designed to teach participants the basic roles and responsibilities of being a Community Guide; one who works with an individual with a disability to help with the process of self-directing services and supports. Use this guide as you designs your program as one way to approach training and enabling members of your community to better provide these desired services.

States increasingly require criminal background checks for home care workers to protect vulnerable adults from harm. While 46 states mandate some type of background check for Medicaid-funded workers, there is no uniform protocol for screening and disqualifying candidates. Developing sound policies and practices is challenging due to costs, database problems & time constraints. The paper offers an up-to-date assessment of practices, policy considerations & research and guidance on moving forward.

Planning documents show how Connecticut will use a Cash & Counseling model to provide flexible service choices to keep people out of institutions. The narrative gives details such as the state’s current rebalancing status, goals and objectives, approach, challenges, service options, training and eligibility. The work plan details “Choices at Home” key tasks, lead person and time frame associated with each major objective.

Recognizing caregivers' needs, many federal and state lawmakers have spent the past several years introducing legislation to provide supports to caregiving families. Unfortunately, fiscal crises and other pressing social concerns have meant that few of these proposals have actually passed or been enacted. Trends in caregiver legislation introduced in 2007 and 2008 are summarized and those that have been successful are highlighted.

Via IHSS Plus, participants are able to receive certain expanded in-home services as part of Medi-Cal. Before, payments for these services were not matched by a federal contribution and were administered through a separate program. The analysis looks at implementation and service use in 2005, compares recipients’ outcomes and institutionalization rates to those in the original IHSS program, and complements the State’s evaluation and other research on paying family caregivers.

Minnesota’s Legislative Auditor investigates the state of the personal care workforce and the regulation of these services and presents recommendations for improvement. Information is provided on eligibility and access as well as the demographics of people that are assessed for or receiving personal care services. Program traits examined include regulation, expenditure trends, fiscal integrity, and quality. Family caregivers are looked at in the final section.

Help family caregivers better manage transitions in care with these guides. Available in English and Spanish, they help determine what issues to consider, how to seek assistance, how to manage medications, and how to better communicate with physicians and other health care professionals. The site, developed by United Hospital Fund, has resources for professionals as well.

Family responsibilities discrimination (FRD) occurs when workers are unfairly penalized based on family responsibilities, such as caring for a family member that is older or disabled. Despite the growing number of workers with such responsibilities and the dramatic increase in FRD lawsuits, policies in most states do not yet address it. Find here more information on FRD, a summary of proposed and existing state laws, and resources for further research.

This report is the first product of the newly launched Caregiving Project for Older Americans, a multiyear, joint project of the International Longevity Center-USA (ILC) and the Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education (SCSHE). The report focuses on integrating what is known about both the paid and the family caregiving worlds.

Through advocacy and support services, the Arc of Spokane promotes independence, choice, and improved quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families in Eastern Washington. This edition of their newsletter discusses state and county advocacy and politics, words from staff, tax advice, upcoming events, and program information. Check their website regularly for additional issues and news.