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HHS Support Affects Most States
Alzheimer's Caregivers Get Government Boost in Developing Ways to Effectively Provide Family Care
Federal grants
of more than $12 million were awarded to initiate seven new state
programs and bolster 32 other programs nationwide aimed at developing
innovative care approaches to support family caregivers of Alzheimer?s
patients. The action announced by the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) touches support efforts in nearly every state.
"Most often, spouses or other family members provide the day-to-day
care for people with Alzheimer's disease," said HHS Secretary Tommy
Thompson in announcing the grants. "Just as those afflicted with this
insidious disease usually require more care as the disease advances, so
do those who care for them. These grants will help by addressing the
needs of both patients and their caregivers."
The awards also support the continuation of projects in 32 other states
-- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida,
Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New
Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Overall in 2003, HHS will spend about $655 million for Alzheimer's
disease research and prevention, including scientific and medical
research through HHS' National Institutes of Health on potential
causes, detection methods and treatments for the disease.
The grants announced August 13 are part of the Alzheimer's Disease
Demonstration Grants to States Program run by HHS' Administration on
Aging. The program works to improve the responsiveness of home- and
community-based services to persons with dementia and their caregivers.
The demonstration grants focus on expanding the availability of
diagnostic and support services to people with Alzheimer's disease as
well as improving outreach and service delivery to low-income, minority
and rural families that are traditionally underserved.
"The AoA Alzheimer's Program stands out as an example of a successful
public-private partnership that offers flexible community-based care,"
Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell said at a recent
press conference. "This is the kind of care that will be required to
meet the needs of an increasingly diverse aging population of the
future... Results of the evaluation of the AoA Alzheimer's Program
clearly indicate that assisting and supporting caregivers with respite
services like adult day care can make a significant difference in the
quality of care for Alzheimer's patients and in the quality of life for
caregivers. And it can be done without breaking the bank."
HHS described the new projects and amounts of each award this way:
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, Division of
Social Work and Prevention Services, Hartford, Conn. -- $250,000 -- To
provide community outreach, awareness, and clinical/supportive services
to persons in various stages of Alzheimer's disease and their families
in low-income, rural, and ethnic/cultural communities. Population
specific brochures, evaluation/assessment tools, training manuals and
treatment manuals will be distributed to social service/health care
agencies and non-traditional agencies like the faith communities,
ethnic/advocacy organizations, etc.
IDAHO COMMISSION ON AGING, Boise City, Idaho --
$320,348 -- To provide a network of services and a single point of
entry for people with Alzheimer's disease and their families through
the Stand By You Program. Supportive services will include a 'Family
Advisor' for the caregiver, monthly orientations to Alzheimer's
Disease, nine-week in- depth training courses for individuals, couples
and family members, and responsive paid and informal respite and
companion services and dementia-specific training for providers.
CABINET FOR HEALTH SERVICES, Frankfort, Ky. --
$212,970 -- To increase awareness of dementia and utilization of
services by the African-American community. This program will offer
dementia diagnostic services for African-Americans in their communities
and offer two separate services through local churches: 1) support
groups and 2) a Best Friends care program.
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Baton Rouge, La.
-- $150,000 (1 year) -- To develop a pilot program that will provide
after-hour adult care services to individuals with Alzheimer's disease
and related dementia through the Comprehensive Alzheimer's Care
Program. This program will provide a safe and stimulating environment
for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementia and
will serve as a community-access point for education and free
information materials on various aspects of Alzheimer's disease.
NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Division
of Aging and Disability Services, Lincoln, Neb. -- $326,000 -- To
provide consumer-directed services to persons with Alzheimer's disease
and their caregivers in diverse underserved segments of Nebraska. The
program will offer mental health services, individual volunteer mentors
and expanded training and education to caregivers suffering from mental
distress, as well as direct financial support in the form of vouchers.
It will also work to enhance efficiency of statewide voluntary health
organizations for Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases.
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Education and
Training Division, San Juan, Puerto Rico -- $300,000 -- To provide a
comprehensive home-based support service model for Hispanic people with
Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. Participants will have
available a variety of respite services, home health care,
companionship, homemaker services and case management, as well as
information and training to strengthen their skills and well being. An
advisory council will play an active role in planning, implementation
and evaluation activities.
STATE OF UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, Division
of Aging and Adult Services, Salt Lake City, Utah -- $300,000 -- To
increase access to community-based respite services and develop a
system of in-home respite care that is volunteer driven for persons
with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their caregivers in
rural areas of the state and/or minority communities. The program will
develop relationships with diverse organizations and faith based
programs to mobilize and train volunteer respite companions.
RESOURCES
For more information on this topic, check out these resources:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, grant announcement: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20030813a.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging: http://www.aoa.gov/alz/
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