A message from the
National Family Caregivers Association
A message from the National Family Caregivers Association
Identifying Family Caregivers
January 2012 E-LETTER
TO NFCA ONLINE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
This month, find information on:
- Interactive Video Illustrates How Health Reform Will Affect Insurance Coverage
- Are You Caring for a Veteran?
- Mountain Climber’s Efforts Help Fight Alzheimer’s Disease and Support Family Caregivers
- Medication Adherence Resources Available on Consumer Web Site
- Family Caregiver Respite Services Expand Across the Country
- Lotsa Helping Hands to Host a Free “Resolutions for Caregivers” Webinar
- Interactive Video Illustrates How Health Reform Will Affect Insurance Coverage
- Recent polls by the Kaiser Family Foundation have found that many people are unaware of or confused by major provisions of the Affordable Care Act. In an effort to make the law easier to understand, the Foundation has released a new interactive feature, “Illustrating Health Reform: How Health Insurance Coverage Will Work.” The video illustrates how individuals and businesses could see their health insurance coverage affected by health reform.
The feature also includes resources from the Foundation that provide further information on various health reform provisions, as well as selected video explainers on topics such as the individual mandate. To view these new resources from the Foundation, click here.
Are You Caring for a Veteran?
The Department of Veteran Affairs has determined that certain illnesses and chronic conditions have been associated with military service. As a result, the VA is reaching out to veterans, many of whom are unaware that their health problems are related to their military service, especially if these problems developed years later.
If your loved one served in Vietnam and now suffers from a condition such as type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, or Parkinson’s disease, or if your loved one served in the Persian Gulf, Iraq or Afghanistan and now suffers from an illness such as Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), fibromyalgia, or another neurological disease, he or she may be eligible for healthcare, benefits, and compensation. What’s more, veterans’ family members may be eligible for compensation and benefits as well.
To learn more about the diseases and chronic conditions now associated with military service, and whether your loved one and your family members might qualify for benefits, click here or call 800/882-1316.
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Mountain Climber’s Efforts Help Fight Alzheimer’s Disease and Support Family Caregivers
In just under one year, 55-year-old mountain climber and Alzheimer’s disease advocate Alan Arnette has completed his climb to the 7 Summits — the highest peak on each of the seven continents — as part of The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything campaign.
Arnette undertook this challenge to raise awareness of the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s and the enormous personal and financial burden it places on people with the disease, their family caregivers, and society. All the money Arnette raised from donations went directly to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund™ and the National Family Caregivers Association.
Now you can read Arnette’s blog entries and see photos of his journey through the “Memories Are Everything: The Alan Arnette Journey” interactive e-book, which features his firsthand account of climbing Everest in the spring of 2011. To see this fascinating e-book, click here.
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Medication Adherence Resources Available on Consumer Web Site
Merck has added medication adherence resources to its consumer health and wellness Web site. The new resources are designed to help consumers stay on course with their treatments and have better conversations with their healthcare professionals about the medicines they have been prescribed.
The resources available on MerckEngage.com include the Adherence Estimator®, a one-minute survey designed to categorize patients into three groups: those who are at low, medium, or high risk for not adhering to a newly-prescribed medicine. The tool provides easy to understand, personalized information that may address the patient's concerns about taking that medication.
MerckEngage.com also provides a medication worksheet, tips for taking medicine, articles, and links to trusted sites where consumers can find more information about the importance of taking medicines as directed. In addition, the site offers a broad range of health information and resources to help improve healthy living.
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Family Caregiver Respite Services Expand Across the Country
The Administration on Aging (AoA), which administers the Lifespan Respite Care Program, has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to Delaware, Nevada, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia to expand respite services for family caregivers. Through the Lifespan Respite Care Program Expansion, the grants will pay for direct services for caregivers as well as continued program development activities.
In addition to these Expansion grants awarded in 2011, AoA also funded six new states to begin implementing Lifespan Respite Care Programs. The new states include Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia. This brings to 30 the total number of states that have received grants since 2009 to help them improve the availability and quality of respite across the lifespan.
To learn more about the implementation of the Lifespan Respite Care Program, to see the complete list grantees, and to read about the key activities of each of the grantees, go to the AoA.
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Lotsa Helping Hands to Host a Free “Resolutions for Caregivers” Webinar
It’s a new year. We all have our resolutions for 2012. This year, consider how you can resolve to reach out. If you are a caregiver, learn ways to ask for help. And if you know a caregiver, learn ways to offer yours.
On January 25, Lotsa Helping Hands is hosting a webinar especially aimed at giving and getting help. The webinar will also include tips and features for customizing your Lotsa Helping Hands Community to help you get the most out of the service. The webinar will kick off at 2 p.m. EST on January 25, and you can register by clicking here.
Happy New Year!
We wish you and all those dear to you a healthy and peaceful 2012. We will work as always to make your lives a little easier.Encouraging Family Caregivers to Reach Out for Help
