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Suggested Platform Planks

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Recommendations for Delaware from the Alzheimer’s Association

Source: http://act.alz.org/site/DocServer/CAREGIVERS.pdf?docID=4644

• Explore the use of volunteer respite providers through a variety of sources including nursing programs, volunteer organizations, community organizations, and faith-based groups.
• Explore options for the provision of emergency respite services.
• Educate employers about the issues facing caregivers and encourage them to establish workplace policies such as flextime, telecommuting, referral services, and on-site support programs.
• Perform an environmental scan of all caregiver training and resources currently available.
• Create a robust online “toolkit” for placement on the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) websites containing practical tips, educational materials, and links to educational programs for use by caregivers, ADRC call center staff, and others – and include “toolkit” information in DSAAPD’s Guide to Services for Older Delawareans and Persons with Disabilities.
• Coordinate with the Alzheimer’s Association and other public and private community partners to link caregivers to community-based and online educational programs for caregivers through the Delaware ADRC and DSAAPD websites, Caregiver Resource Centers, pamphlets, brochures, and other promotional outreach.
• Increase participation in educational programs among diverse caregivers through culturally and linguistically appropriate offerings, including programs offered in Spanish.
• Identify caregiving as a health risk factor and promote self-care and frequent breaks for caregivers.
• Promote and link caregivers to the Delaware ADRC, local Caregiver Resource Centers, and the Alzheimer’s Association for help in understanding Alzheimer’s disease, navigating the long-term care system, sorting through service options, and accessing relevant supports, including caregiver assessments, care consultation, counseling, care management, respite care, support groups, assistive technologies, future care needs, and other effective interventions.
• Explore options to increase support for diverse caregivers, including those caring for persons with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
• Promote and encourage referrals to the Delaware ADRC by physicians, health care and service providers, faith-based organizations, and other community partners.
• Explore options to enlist the faith-based community as a key resource that can reach out to and support caregivers, including promoting partnerships in developing programs to train volunteers.
• Build strong partnerships with the health care community and develop avenues to promote caregiving as a health risk factor, and encourage health care professionals to acknowledge and address the issue.
• Establish a legislative agenda to address caregiver issues.