Highlighted Topics

• 2008-09 Governor’s Budget—California Department of Aging (CDA)
• Be Prepared California
• Get Healthy California
• Health Care Reform
• Long-Term Care Guide
• Security Awareness Training
• Senate Recognizes Department of Aging for Health Promotion in Workplace

Latest News

• 2008 Economic Stimulus Rebate Information
  • Scams - An IRS Warning
• Tips to Prevent Heat Related Illness
• Medicare Fraud Toolkit to Assist Consumers in Protecting Their Medicare Benefits from Fraud and Abuse.
• Do you know, after February 17th, 2009, all full power television stations will broadcast in digital signals only?
  
• Information for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

Upcoming Events

• Nov. 17-20, 2008
  C4A Annual Meeting
  and Allied Conference

California Department of Aging Director Announces November as Family Caregiver Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2003

CONTACT: John Carr
(916) 323-2261

Sacramento - California Department of Aging Director Lynda Terry today announced that November is National Family Caregivers Month. “When we think of long term care, most of us think first of nursing homes or assisted living facilities, but the vast majority of Californians who are elderly or disabled are living in the community and are cared for by family members,”
said Director Terry.

Demographics are driving the need for assistance ranging from occasional help in paying bills, buying groceries, and cleaning the house to more intensive daily assistance with bathing, dressing, personal care and ambulating. Seniors age 85 and over have become the fastest growing segment of the population and are also the age group most likely to require long-term care assistance. But demographics are also reducing the availability of family caregivers as a result of smaller families, geographic mobility, more women in the workforce, divorce and remarriage.

Millions of Californians are juggling job and caregiver responsibilities and those numbers are growing. While many family members feel great personal satisfaction that they are making a difference and “giving back” in their caregiving, prolonged caregiving can have a negative effect on the caregiver. The toll of caregiving can lead to depression, physical health problems, isolation, and financial pressures.

An estimated one in four California families is currently involved in caring for a loved one with a disability. Caring for a family member who has dementia or who has multiple chronic health conditions can be quite complex, yet most families receive little or no training or assistance in their caregiving tasks.

"Family caregivers frequently are so overwhelmed by their daily caregiving tasks that they don't take care of themselves," says Kathy Kelly, Executive Director of the Family Caregiver Alliance in San Francisco. "This is understandable, but can have negative consequences in the long run. Fortunately, there are caregiver programs available that can help."

• California has the largest client-directed In-Home Supportive Services program in the country. Under this program, disabled clients hire, train, and supervise their own caregivers, including family members. Learn more at http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/default.htm.
  
  
• California's network of 11 Caregiver Resource Centers that support families caring for an individual with adult-onset brain disorder, is unique. You can learn more about the Caregiver Resource Centers at http://www.dmh.ca.gov/specialprograms/caregiver/caregive-overview.asp.
  
  
• California has a progressive track record in developing home- and community-based service alternatives to assist younger and older persons with disabilities remain in their own home. The State has also encouraged individuals, with the means to do so, to include planning for long-term care needs as a component of their retirement planning.

Services are available that provide caregiver support such as respite and information and referral. These services include training in care techniques, counseling and support groups, assistance with planning and coordination, legal advice, help in making home modifications, buying assistive devices, and financial assistance.

Additional information on these caregiver support programs is available from the California Department of Aging, through its partnership with the local Area Agencies on Aging, by calling the toll-free Senior Information Line at 1-800-510-2020. Internet resources are also available at www.aging.ca.gov, www.caregiver.org, www.calcarenet.ca.gov, www.caregiving.org.