Here is a sample article from our October 2002
issue.
New
Support for Caregivers
By CVAA Community Program Coordinator
An estimated 6.7 million caregivers provide unpaid
care to individuals 65 and older nationwide. In addition, over 2.1
million children are raised primarily by their grandparents, or
other family members who are 60 or older. In response to this data,
the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) was enacted
into law in November of 2000. It provides five kinds of supportive
services to two types of caregivers: family caregivers of individuals
aged 60 and older; and grandparents and older relatives aged 60
and above who raise children.
The five support services defined by the NFCSP:
information to caregivers about available services
assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services
individual counseling, support groups, and education/training
respite care
supplemental services to complement the care provided by caregivers
Vermont has a long and reputable history of working with and supporting
caregivers. CVAA is using NFCSP funds to expand and enhance existing
assistance programs, both internally and externally.
Within CVAA, additional staff have joined the Senior HelpLine to improve
responsiveness; and a new information and referral database is being
implemented to improve access to and aid dispersal of information about
services.
Externally, CVAA has funded ten projects. Seven focus on unpaid
caregivers of individuals age 60 and older:
HomeShare Vermont is conducting workshops for caregivers in Chittenden
County to help them with the process of hiring a respite caregiver.
The telephone reassurance program operated by the Champlain Senior
Center will expand and acquire a part-time coordinator.
Club Respite in St. Albans Bay has added an Activities Specialist and an
Activities Assistant. The program will also increase the number of
participants they accept and expand their hours.
A Parkinson's Disease Support Group is expanding at the Heineberg Senior
Center in Burlington.
The VNA of Chittenden County is offering support/education workshops for
caregivers.
The University of Vermont Employee Assistance Program is initiating a
program to provide work-site support services to caregivers.
In Franklin County, Priscilla Rogow, Avenues Counseling Service, is
conducting workshops for caregivers on dealing with the emotional aspects
of their role.
The other three projects are geared toward older caregivers of family
members who are eighteen years or younger:
The Milton Family Community Center is supplementing its existing
Grandparent Support Program.
Educational outreach by the Child Care Resource Center is informing
relative caregivers of existing services and assisting them in gaining
access to these services.
The Family Center of Northwestern Vermont is working to increase
assistance to relative caregivers in Franklin County through their
programs.
These services are part of CVAA's ongoing effort to reach out to
caregivers. If you would like more information about NFCSP or the
programs mentioned above, contact Laura Murphy at CVAA: 802-865-0360 or email us at info@cvaa.org.
