Resources and Information For Working Caregivers

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Resources and Information For Working Caregivers

• Sponsored by the
• Sussex County
• Board of Chosen Freeholders

Provided by the Sussex County Division of
Senior Services
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WHAT IS A CAREGIVER?

• A caregiver is someone who provides care for the
  physical and emotional needs of a family member
  or friend at home.
• Caregivers may devote just a few hours weekly or
  many hours each day.
• It is a role for which most of us are
  unprepared.

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CAREGIVING MAY INVOLVE

• Helping with medical procedures and/or therapy.
• Assisting with personal care.
• Monitoring medications.
• Preparing meals.
• Providing transportation.
• Coordinating care with physicians.
• Providing housekeeping and managing finances.

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Caring for elders affects an increasing number of
families

• In 1987 there were 7 million American caregivers.
• In 1997 there were 22 million American
  caregivers.
• In 1997 there were also 7 million long-distance
  caregivers.
• 47 of caregivers are employed.
• The average care recipient is 78 years old and
  64 are women.

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LONG DISTANCE CAREGIVING

• Nearly 7 million Americans provide care or manage
  care for a relative or friend age 55 or older who
  lives at least one hour away.
• The number of long-distance caregivers is
  expected to more than double over the next 15
  years.
• Long distance care has become a growing concern
  for baby boomers.
• To find local services for seniors across the
  nation contact the Eldercare Locator at
  1-800-677-1116.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF WORKING CAREGIVERS

• More than 60 of caregivers are employed full
  time.
• Average age of the working caregiver is 46.
• 50 are male, 50 are female.
• More than 1/3 have children still in the
  household.

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The Sussex County Division of Senior Services

• In 2002, more than 6,430 requests for information
  and assistance were obtained by telephone or
  coming into the office.
• 35 of these calls were from caregivers.
• Over 60 of these calls were for home care
  assistance.

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Services offered thru the Sussex County Division
of Senior Services

• Information Assistance
• Senior Meal Programs
• SHIP Counseling
• Case Management
• Home Care Programs
• Housing Information
• Long Term Care Options
• Prescription Program Assistance

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INFORMATION ASSISTANCE SCREENING

• I A screening is done upon initial contact with
  the caregiver/client, be it walk-in or via
  telephone.
• The purpose of the I A screening is to
  determine what programs an individual may be
  qualified for.

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INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR THE IA SCREENING

• Clients name, address and phone number.
• Clients date of birth.
• Clients social security number.
• Medical diagnosis/disability.
• Type of service needed.
• Type of insurance the client has (i.e.
  Medicare/Medicaid, prescription coverage.)
• Clients ( spouses) monthly income and asset
  information.

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SENIOR MEAL PROGRAMS

• These programs are for seniors 60 and older.
• Lunches are served at 5 Congregate Nutrition
  Sites throughout Sussex County.
• These programs are funded through federal, state
  and local funds along with client donations.

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SHIPState Health Insurance Program

• SHIP provides free, objective, confidential help
  to NJ Medicare beneficiaries.
• Counselors may provide help with questions about
  Medicare, Medigap, Medicare HMOs and Long Term
  Care Insurance.
• Counselors may be contacted at the Division of
  Senior Services and by appointment at most senior
  centers throughout the County.

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HOME CARE PROGRAMS FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS

• CAP (Community Assistance Program)
• CCPED (Community Caregiving Program for Elderly
  Disabled)
• JACC (Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving)
• RESPITE
• IN-HOME CAREGIVER EDUCATION
• ALP (Assisted Living Program)

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CAPCommunity Assistance Program

• Client data is provided to the Division of Social
  Services where each case is financially qualified
  then medically assessed by a nurse from the
  State Medicaid Long Term Care Field Office.
• Ongoing care management services are provided and
  arranged for clients thru the Division of Social
  Services.
• Services include Medical Social Adult Day
  Care, meals, homemaker, chore, transportation,
  medical supplies, home modification, personal
  response systems and respite care.

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CCPED WAIVERCommunity Caregiving Program for
Elderly Disabled

• This Medicaid waiver program provides in-home
  support services.
• Cases are financially qualified by the Division
  of Social Services medically assessed by a
  nurse from the State Medicaid Long Term Care
  Field Office.
• The Division of Social Services provides ongoing
  care management and arranges for approved
  services.
• Services include medical and social adult day
  care, homemaker/home health aide, prescription,
  transportation and respite care.

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JACCJersey Assistance for Community Caregiving

• JACC provides a broad array of in-home services
  and supports to seniors at risk of placement in a
  nursing facility.
• Clients work together with a care manager to
  develop a Plan of Care to best meet their needs.
• Services include case management, homemaker,
  respite, chore services, home modification,
  medical equipment and supplies, home delivered
  meals, caregiver training, social adult day care,
  transportation, personal response system.

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RESPITEStatewide Respite Care Program

• Services are provided to the elderly and disabled
  who have UNPAID CAREGIVERS needing relief from
  the stress associated with caregiving.
• Eligibility is based upon the care recipients
  not the caregivers income.
• Care Managers arrange for contracted services
  which include companion, homemaker/home health,
  social adult day care, temporary care in a
  licensed medical facility and private duty
  nursing.
• Services are available for emergency and crisis
  situations as well as for routine respite care.
• Cost share fees are based upon a sliding scale.

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IN-HOME CAREGIVER EDUCATION

• This program provides individual education
  support to caregivers so they can improve their
  ability and effectiveness as caregivers.
• A nurse meets with the caregiver to do an initial
  assessment, then a teaching plan is prepared.
• The teaching plan may include lifting,
  transferring, bathing, personal care nutrition,
  disease education, accessing community resources
  and stress management.
• The caregiver must be an unpaid primary caregiver
  who lives with or visits the care recipient
  regularly to assist with daily activities.
• The care recipient must be over 18 and
  functionally impaired, requiring the assistance
  of the primary caregiver to perform daily
  activities.

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ALPAssisted Living Program

• This Medicaid waiver program provides services to
  eligible individuals in an assisted living
  residence or comprehensive personal care home.
• The Division of Senior Services financially
  qualifies clients who are then medically assessed
  by a nurse from the State Medicaid Long Term Care
  Field Office.
• The Division of Senior Services provides ongoing
  care management services.
• Services include all Medicaid State Plan services
  except nursing facility, personal care
  assistants.

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SELECTING A HOME HEALTH AGENCY

• Determine what services are needed
• RN, LPN, therapist, home health aide, domestic
  services etc
• Be informed, obtain and read literature
• describing the agencies
• Services
• Reimbursement Procedures
• Patient Rights
• Licenses, accreditations and insurance

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TYPES OF AGENCIES

• Home Health Agencies
• Licensed by the NJ Dept of Health
• Aides are also licensed by the NJ Dept of Health
• Non Profit Homemaker Agencies
• Accredited by the NJ Commission on Accreditation
  for Home Care
• Employment Agencies/Temporary Agencies
• Licensed by the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs
  Bureau of Employment and Personnel Services

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QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CONTACTING AGENCIES

• Is the agency licensed by the State?
• Does Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance plan
  approve the agency?
• What is your screening process for employees? Are
  they bonded? Have they undergone background
  checks?
• What kind of training have your employees
  received? Any special training regarding care of
  individuals with disabilities, dementia, or other
  special needs?
• Do I pay the agency or the caregiver?

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QUESTIONS (CONTINUED)

• Who is the supervisor? How often are supervisory
  visits made?
• Who is responsible for finding an alternate when
  the worker is absent?
• How soon is a worker available?
• What is the minimum and maximum number of hours
  of service per day?
• What are the fees and exactly what do they cover?
• Are there any charges that might arise
  unexpectedly?

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NJ EASE

• SUSSEX COUNTY
• DIVISION OF
• SENIOR SERVICES
• 973-579-0555
• For other counties in NJ
• 1-877-222-3737