NATIVE ELDER CAREGIVER CURRICULUM NECC: 3.4 CAREGIVERS & RESOURCES Caring for Our Elders: Caregivers & Resources 3.4 1.

NATIVE ELDER CAREGIVER CURRICULUMNECC: 3.4 CAREGIVERS & RESOURCES

Caring for Our Elders: Caregivers & Resources 3.4

Caring for Our Elders: Caregivers & Resources 3.4

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Caregivers & Resources*

Caring for Our Elders: Caregivers & Resources Session 3.4

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Families are important ! Informal system (FAMILY & FRIENDS)

provides the most long-term care to elderly with limitations in ADLs & IADLs

Nationally, over 90 % of older people who need assistance are helped by a family member or friend !

Caregivers often give up a job or make a major change in a job to be able to help an elderly

Importance of Care for the Caregiver


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“Without formal services available, rural elderly must rely even more heavily on family and friends for assistance. Policymakers would do well to consider building on the informal structures already in place in rural areas by supporting family caregiver assistance programs and emphasizing the unique rural challenges for rural family caregivers” *

*cited in Family Caregiver Support of the Rural Elderly

National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services – 2006

http:// ruralcommittee.hrsa.gov/NAC06Report.htm

Importance of Care for the Caregiver


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“Informal caregiving is the backbone of the American long-term care system where the value of the service provided by informal caregivers is estimated to be $257 billion annually, two times the amount currently spent on homecare and nursing home care.” *

*cited in Family Caregiver Support of the Rural Elderly

National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services – 2006

http:// ruralcommittee.hrsa.gov/NAC06Report.htm

Care for the Caregiver*


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Commitment of Caregivers is to be respected

Challenge to Caregivers is also to be appreciated ! Can take a toll on their own

health over time Can become Stressful !!

Causing anger, guilt, financial difficulty, depression

Even elder-abuse can result

Family Caregivers forNative Elderly


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TRADITIONAL VALUES

Deep commitment among Native families to care for their elders

Deep commitment among Native Elders to care for their families

Family Caregivers forNative Elderly


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“Our goal as the next generation is to pay back our elders for their contributions to our families, societies, and communities by doing our best to increase or maintain their quality of life by providing them autonomy in how they wish to live” *

* McDonald, et al. 2008, p.65



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Risk for Elderly… when Caregiver “burns out”… More likely for the

elderly person to be hospitalized

More likely for the elderly person to be placed in nursing home



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Top 5 Unmet Needs of Caregivers in the U.S. *

LACK OF: resources to provide range of

services respite options public awareness about caregiver

issues health care providers access to services in rural areas



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Caregivers often have same kinds of difficulties as their elderly family members with: Transportation Access to health care services Housing issues Financial issues Family issues



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What kinds of services are needed for Family Caregivers?

Information Assistance Counseling Respite Supplemental Services

(*references in narrative portion of curriculum)

What would help the most?


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Recommendations need to come from each Tribal Community to meet specific needs Each Tribe will have its

specific issues However, good examples

of recommendations have been made by Tribal people…

Examples of Tribal Recommendations


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Bring people together to talk & plan what YOUR community needs…

In YOUR part of the world !


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Identify & bring shareholders together! Tap into their knowledge & expertise Multiply the ideas! SYNERGY!

Recommendations

Sharing Ideas is Important

Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System 3.3

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Community Discussion is Recommended with Elders &

Providers

Caring for Our Elders: Navigating the System 3.3

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Examples: Tribally Identified Needs


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Access to Information Resources Improved Access to Health Care

Resources Respite Care IN-HOME Personal Care Services

Examples: Tribally Identified Needs


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Chore Services Heavy cleaning, snow shoveling, yard work

Temporary rehabilitation options Health education & exercise options Honoring of cultural expectations in

caregiving

Examples: Tribal Recommendations


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Common central location to serve as : nutrition site for congregate meals caregiver resource center social resource information center “one-stop” referral & advocacy base place to socialize



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“Navigator” For each Local

community district Designated person to

cut through the “maze” of access issues

Serve as advocate Serve as referral source Serve as “coach”



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Handicapped accessible vehicles With lifts for wheelchairs Extra garages, maintenance system for

transportation of elders Available equipment for safety in the

home Shower grab bars, toilet risers, etc.

Supply of undergarments for those in need No funding source for incontinent products



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Community Elder Outreach Workers Home services, such as installing

grab-bars, railings, taking care of heavy chores & cleaning, yard work, snow removal

Identify a Tribal Leader specifically assigned to advocate for elderly

Diabetes specialist for eldercare

Caregiving is Important… for all generations


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Caregiving is important!


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Working together to thank our elders… and value our caregivers!


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NATIVE ELDER CAREGIVER CURRICULUM NECC: 3.4 CAREGIVERS & RESOURCES Caring for Our Elders: Caregivers & Resources 3.4 1.

Documents

caregivers resources

rural family caregivers

informal caregivers

commitment of caregivers

elderly slide

native elders

native elderly caring

family caregiver support