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New program focuses on help for caregivers
By Chet Gallup
Caregivers experience a wide variety of circumstances, but one thing they share is long stressful hours with inadequate respite, minimal support, and the lack of equipment designed to make day-to-day tasks easier. In recognition of the need to address specific caregiver issues, Elder Services has designated a fund to be known as the Caregiver Services Fund.
Director of Client Services Bob Dean says the new fund is targeted to give caregivers a breather and reduce tension and is in addition to the six grants recently awarded to local organizations for caregiver support programs.
"We hear of caregivers who are up during the night as elders wander instead of sleeping," Dean said. "This is one of many stories that points out that caregivers are not only overworked, but also taken for granted. Caregivers will find the new fund sensitive to their needs."
A three-member committee reviews all requests for assistance. The committee consists of: Fiscal Director Stephanie Talanian, Housing Programs Supervisor Lisa Lungo, and Client Services Supervisor Diane Sheridan. Requests for funds will be processed in three business days. In the event of an emergency, requests will be processed within 24 hours.
"Up to now, much of our effort has concentrated on elders being cared for rather than their caretakers," Lungo said. "This new fund is definitely a shift in focus."
Funds are available to caregivers of persons at least 60-years-old. Help is also available to elders who are caregivers for a spouse or for a person with mental retardation or related developmental disabilities.
There is no means test imposed by Federal Guidelines, that is, income is not a qualifying factor in eligibility. However, the government does recommend targeting those with the greatest social or economic need.
"The greatest economic need is, of course, money," Sheridan said. "Whereas, the greatest social need is a measure of informal support systems such as family, knowledge of available services, and the amount of stress and isolation the caregiver is experiencing."
Application to the fund may be made not only by a caregiver, but also by anyone on behalf of the caregiver. For instance, requests for caregiver relief can be submitted by Elder Services staff, persons from other agencies such as the Red Cross, Visiting Nurse Association, Councils on Aging, family, friends, etc.
Possible uses of the funds include, but are not limited to: paid companionship, adaptive equipment, short-term respite stays, or special consultation services.
"Paid companionship allows caregivers to attend to their personal needs," Dean said. "Adaptive equipment is geared toward making the work of the caregiver easier and includes, but is not limited to: lifts, bath seats, and specially designed dining utensils. Short-term respite care affords a complete rest period for the caregiver, and special consultation services afford a better understanding of the person being cared for as well as the environment in which the care is being given."
Elder Services is presently exploring the possibility of creating a new part time Caregiver Liaison position. The human services professional filling the position will be responsible to determine needs of Berkshire caregivers and to develop responsive programs and services based upon existing networks of caregiver supports. The goal is to facilitate collaboration and information sharing, and provide resources to family caregivers as well as professionals.
"We look forward to giving funds, for example, to say a caregiver who hasn’t been able to do personal shopping, or to get their hair done," Dean said. "This often occurs in the case of a daughter taking care of her mother without the benefit of other resources. In short, this fund is aimed at helping caregivers take care of themselves."
For more information on the Caregivers Services Fund call Elder Services of Berkshire County at (413) 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.