A message from the National Family Caregivers Association
Identifying Family Caregivers
May 2012 E-LETTER
TO NFCA ONLINE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
This month, find information on:
NFCA’s Suzanne Mintz Featured in Voice of America Story
- Scorecard Finds Significant Differences in Healthcare Access, Costs, Quality, and Outcomes Across the U.S.
- Participants Needed for Family Caregiver Study
- AIDS Memorial Quilt to Return to Washington, D.C.
- May Is Older Americans Month
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NFCA’s Suzanne Mintz Featured in Voice of America Story
A May 1, 2012, story featured on Voice of America highlights the increased levels of stress that America’s family caregivers are experiencing, as well as the negative effects of stress that appear to be unique to this particular population. The story, which cites a new survey by the American Psychological Association, reveals that, “Caregivers report higher levels of stress, poorer health and a greater tendency to engage in unhealthy behaviors to alleviate their stress than the general public.” NFCA’s own Suzanne Mintz is one of the family caregivers interviewed for the story, which also discusses the importance of support systems and communication for family caregivers who wish to mitigate the negative effects of stress.
Click here to read the Voice of America story and watch the related video.
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Scorecard Finds Significant Differences in Healthcare Access, Costs, Quality, and Outcomes Across the U.S.
Healthcare access, cost, quality, and outcomes can vary greatly from one community to the next — both within states and across states — depending on the performance of the healthcare system available to residents, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System. In the first scorecard measuring how 306 local U.S. areas are doing on key healthcare indicators such as insurance coverage, preventive care, and mortality rates, researchers at The Commonwealth Fund found significant differences between the best- and worst-performing localities.
According to the scorecard, 66 million people live in the lowest-performing local areas in the country. If all local areas could do as well as the top performers, 30 million more adults and children would have health insurance, 1.3 million more elderly would receive safe or appropriate medications, and Medicare would save billions of dollars on preventable hospitalizations and readmissions.
The report, Rising to the Challenge: Results from a Scorecard on Local Health System Performance, 2012, and online interactive map rank local areas on 43 performance metrics grouped into categories that include access to healthcare, healthcare prevention and treatment, potentially avoidable hospital use and cost, and health outcomes.
The report and a variety of online tools are available here.
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Participants Needed for Family Caregiver Study
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) are interested in learning about the experiences of family caregivers in an effort to help improve support for future caregivers.
•Researchers are looking for current/former, local/long-distance caregivers of an older adult (age 65+).
•You will be interviewed for 45 minutes over the phone and asked to describe your needs as a caregiver, and your feelings about your relative’s health, care needs, and concerns about the future.
•You will receive a $25 check for your time.
Please contact Julie Thai at (415) 221-4810 x6496 or Julie.thai@ucsf.edu for more information or to schedule an interview.
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AIDS Memorial Quilt to Return to Washington, D.C.
The NAMES Project Foundation is calling for volunteers and sponsors as it prepares to bring The AIDS Memorial Quilt in its entirety back to Washington, D.C., this summer for its 25th anniversary. Each of its 47,000 panels is hand sewn by friends and families of more than 94,000 people in the U.S. and globally who have lost their lives to AIDS. Bringing all 54 tons of The Quilt to Washington is a major undertaking. Click here to volunteer.
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Read All About It
The World Health Organization estimates that the number of people living with dementia will triple to 115.4 million by 2050. The agency's director-general also warns of “the catastrophic cost [that will drive] millions of households below the poverty line.” Read more in this Associated Press article.
According to this Associated Press article, “The National Institute on Aging estimates around 7 million Americans are long-distance caregivers.” This number is expected to increase substantially in the future as a result of the nation’s shifting demographics as well as a continued sluggish economy.
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May Is Older Americans Month
May is Older Americans Month, a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation for the older adults in our community. The theme for Older Americans Month 2012 — Never Too Old to Play! — puts a spotlight on the important role older adults play in sharing their experience, wisdom and understanding, and passing on that knowledge to other generations in a variety of significant ways. This year’s celebrations will recognize the value that older adults continue to bring to our communities through spirited participation in social and faith groups, service organizations, and other activities.
To find ongoing opportunities to celebrate and support older Americans, contact your local Area Agency on Aging or call 800/677-1116.
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Lotsa Helping Hands
At some point in our lives, most of us become caregivers. Some will care for an elderly parent, others a sick child or a friend. We will give our time and our care. Some will help for days, others months, and many for years. And while we help our loved ones, we will continue to work, raise our families, do laundry, pay bills, cook dinner, help with homework, mow the lawn, and maintain friendships. And, we will need a break, a timeout, a few moments to catch our breath. We will need a way to organize and coordinate and keep our loved ones informed. Lotsa Helping Hands powers online caring communities that help restore health and balance to caregivers’ lives. Click here to learn more.
