Addressing Family Caregiver Needs

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Addressing Family Caregiver Needs

• Presented by
• Jane Vujovich
• Aging and Adult Services
• MN Department of Human Services
• 2004

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DHSs Position Stronger Support for Family
Caregivers..making an investment

• Informal caregivers are critical to our current
  long-term care system, providing 80 of all
  long-term care support
• Need to support and expand this valuable resource
  base
• Supporting informal caregivers is a critical
  public investment

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Minnesotas Caregiver Support System

• Vision to build capacity that affects lives by
  improving the quality and duration of the care
  provided by family or informal caregivers
• Impact keeps older adults living in the
  community longer and reduces LTC expenditures for
  facility-based care
• Funding Streams
• Administration of federal and providers

4
MNs Spending for Family Caregivers

• Federal 2.4 million
• State 879,969
• Local/Private 444,834
• In-kind 855,500

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2005 Statewide Key Development Priorities for
Publicly Funded CG Services

• Expanded formal, quasi-formal, and informal
  respite options across genders, age groups,
  cultures, working caregivers within
  education/support
• Consumer-directed models
• Broad integration of technology-based supports
• Integration of caregiver coach/consultant service
• Expanding resources and linkages with health care
  professionals for stronger chronic care management

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Family Caregivers

• Approximately 44 million CGs in USA
• 25 U.S. households (22.9 million)
• Unpaid extension of health and LTC system valued
  at 257 billion annually
• -NAC, AARP (2004)

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Family Caregivers

• 61 female and 39 male
• Typical Profile 46 y.o. Baby Boomer working
  woman spending 18 hours weekly caring for 77 y.o.
  mother
• NAC, AARP (2004)

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Family Caregivers

• Average duration of caregiving 4.5 years
• Average annual income 35,000
• With children ltage 18 at home 37
• Working full or part time 59

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Family Caregivers

• 18-34 years 26 (?mental illness)
• 35-49 years 32
• 50-64 years 30
• 65 years 13
• (NAC, AARP, April 2004)

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Impact of Caregiving

• Physical /Mental Health Problems 15
• Emotionally Stressed 25
• Leisure and social activities 50
• 51 less time friends and family
• 44 give up vacations, hobbies, social activities
• 26 less exercise
• -NAC, AARP (2004)

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Financial Impact of Caregiving

• 54 of non-spousal caregivers spend about 171
  out of pocket monthly for 15-75,000 incomes
• Level 5 CG burden spending 324/mo
• Primary caregiver spending 232/mo
• CGs 65 yrs spending 217/mo
• Greater hardship with higher level of burden, no
  choice in role, low income

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Impact on Working Caregivers

• Most caregivers work (48FT11PT)
• 57 tardy or leave early or time off
• 17 LOA
• 10 went from FT to PT
• 6 had to quit
• 5 lost benefits
• 4 gave up promotions
• (NAC, AARP, April 2004)

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How are caregivers helping?

• IADLS (transportation, groceries, errands,
  housework, finances, meals, medications,
  arranging services)
• Personal cares (mobility, dressing, bathing,
  toileting, feeding)
• Supervision
• Home modifications and assistive devices
• Arranging, attending, advocating medical care,
  insurance coverage, and other services
• Community integration, socialization, emotional
  well-being
• Future planning activities

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Intensity of Caregiving

• 8 hours or less per week 48
• 9-20 hours per week 23
• 21-39 hour per week 8
• 40 hours or more 17
• -NAC, AARP (2004)

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Unmet Needs

• Finding time for oneself (35)
• Keeping person safe (29)
• Balancing work and family (29)
• Managing emotional and physical stress (29)
• Finding activities to do with person (27)
• Help talking with health care professionals (22)
• Making end of life decisions (20)

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Where do caregivers turn for help?

• Internet for information on diseases and services
• Health care professionals
• Faith-based organizations
• Community services and counties
• Workplace

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What caregivers are most likely to use help?

• 58 CGs of someone with Alzheimers Disease or
  dementia
• Co-reside with care recipient
• ages 50 vs. age 18-34 years
• Living in urban areas
• Level 5 Burden caregivers

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Getting Results for Caregivers -- what do they
want?

• To have the skill and knowledge to provide the
  care
• To stay healthy and continue their current
  lifestyle
• To direct the care and make informed decisions
• To provide quality care and support as long as
  they can

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What Services are Caregivers Using ?

• (National)
• Financial information 25
• Formal training 18
• Transportation 18
• MOW 18
• Recreation camps 8
• Support groups 7
• ADC 5
• Respite 5

• (Minnesota) 33,023 served
• Information 80,441 calls (1.1 million)
• Access Assistance 38
• Education 43
• Counseling 9
• Respite 3
• Supplemental 6

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New Service Caregiver Coach/Consultant

• Professional service accountable to caregiver
• Goal to help the family caregiver develop their
  role build skills strengthening ability to
  advocate, manage, and coordinate care while
  maintaining personal goals and balanced
  lifestyle.
• ROLE planner, counselor, educator, coach,
  resource, evaluator, problem-solver, care
  advisor, advocate

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Future Trends with Caregiving

• More male caregivers
• More workplace interventions
• More and different respite options
• Greater use of Internet
• More federal and state for financial
  assistance to caregivers

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Summary Points

• Family caregivers are a sound public investment
• There needs to be more help for caregivers --
  earlier and at their serviceable moment
• The burden of caregiving encourages out of home
  placement
• Health and social service professionals across
  systems must help to identify caregivers and
  encourage them to accept the right type and
  amount of help
• Caregiver services will continue to evolve

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Contact Information

• Call Senior LinkAge Line _at_
  1-800-333-2433
• Jane Vujovich 651-282-3803
• jane.vujovich_at_state.mn.us
• Resource Caregiving in the U.S. National
  Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, April 2004