 Supplement to Issue 9(2), Spring 2007 Produced for the | 
|
Contents
| After Placement: Who Cares for the Family Caregiver?What Formal Help is There for the Transition?Adult Placement Services in County Departments of Social ServicesAdult Placement Services help aging or disabled adults find appropriate living and health care arrangements when their health, safety, and well-being can no longer be maintained at home. Adults and their families receive help to complete medical evaluations and financial applications and locate and move to new settings. They also may receive counseling to help them adjust to the change. All 100 county departments of social services provide Adult Placement Services. Find the DSS in your county at http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/local/index.htm. Family Caregiver Support ProgramAlthough the mission of this program, housed in Area Agencies on Aging, is to prevent or delay institutionalization by supporting caregivers at home, caregiver support specialists provide information and counseling about services and how to get access to them, as well as sponsoring caregiver support groups and education. Locate the specialist in your area at http://www.ncdhhs.gov/aging/fcaregr/fcjobs.htmLong-term Care Ombudsman ProgramA major focus of this program is helping residents understand and maintain their rights in long-term care facilities, and this includes responding to residents’ complaints about violations of their rights and offering informal mediation or problem solving to resolve such situations. In addition, ombudsmen answer questions and give guidance to families about the long-term care system, including explaining options; giving pointers on how to select a facility; providing information on specific facilities; explaining residents’ rights and the laws and regulations governing facilities and residents; and providing information about Medicaid and Medicare and such matters as powers of attorney, living wills, and guardianship. Regional ombudsmen are also located in Area Agencies on Aging. Locate your ombudsman at http://www.ncdhhs.gov/aging/ombud/ombstaff.htmIndependent Geriatric Care ManagersAmong the services provided by these professionals is continuity of care to help families access the services they need, according to the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, Inc., which licenses them nationally (http://www.caremanager.org/index.cfm). You can search their website for care managers in your area. Elder Law SpecialistsThe National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (http://www.naela.com/) is a membership organization that provides information to attorneys and others who provide legal services to older and disabled adults and their families. Among the services elder law attorneys provide is assistance in planning for long-term care. You can search their website for elder law attorneys near you. More Information Visit the CARES website for a supplement to this issue containing links to information, references, and resources for professionals and family members. |