Assistance and Support Services for Family Caregivers National Lifespan Respite Conference

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1 Assistance and Support Services for Family Caregivers 2011 National Lifespan Respite Conference Meg Kabat, LCSW-C, CCM Deputy Director VA Caregiver Support Program November 2, 2011

2 Caregivers of Veterans 2

3 Comprehensive Caregiver Support Services Allow Veterans to remain at home in the community Address specific needs of Family Caregivers with a menu of programs and services Promote Veteran & Caregiver health and well-being Provide one location to obtain needed information Provide training & information on common conditions Reduce isolation with professional & peer support Provide options to give Caregivers respite Sensitize health care providers to the Caregivers role 3

Menu of VA Services In-Home Care Caregiver Support Skilled Nursing Support Groups Home Health Aide Caregiver Support Coordinators Home Based Primary Care Interactive Website Veteran Directed Home &

4 Menu of VA Services In-Home Care Caregiver Support Skilled Nursing Support Groups Home Health Aide Caregiver Support Coordinators Home Based Primary Care Interactive Website Veteran Directed Home & Peer Mentoring Program Community Based Care Respite Care Services to Address Mobility Issues Equipment Home Modification Automobile Modification Education and Training Financial Support Aid and Attendance Caregiver Stipend (Post 9-11) Information and Referral Caregiver Web site: Caregiver Support Line 4

5 Caregiver Support Coordinators At all VA medical centers Clinical experts on Caregiver issues Knowledgeable about VA and non-va resources Assist with application for new benefits Organize Caregiver focused activities and services Ensure Caregiver sensitivity is integrated into all programs Provide National Caregiver Support Line follow-up Establish programming for National Family Caregiver Month in November 5

6 Public Law Signed 6

7 Current vs. New Caregiver Benefits Current Benefits Available to Veterans of All Eras World War II Korean Vietnam Gulf War Post-9/ Education and Training Family Support Services In-Home Care 30 Days of Respite Care Aid and Attendance Additional Benefits P u b l i c L a w Additional Benefits under P.L Available to subset of post-9/11 Veterans and Servicemembers Primary Caregivers Receive: Stipend Health care (if not otherwise available) Mental health services Family Caregiver Benefits Family Caregivers Receive: Travel, lodging and per diem for training Respite care during training Lodging and subsistence for Veteran s VA appointments Appropriate instruction and training Counseling 7 7

All General Caregivers Receive: In person education Interactive website Telehealth training Teaching techniques, strategies, and skills for caring Counseling and other services under 1782 Respite

8 All General Caregivers Receive: In person education Interactive website Telehealth training Teaching techniques, strategies, and skills for caring Counseling and other services under 1782 Respite care under 1720B Information on all available services Family Caregivers Additionally Receive: Post 9-11 Only Appropriate instruction and training Travel, lodging, and per diem for training Lodging and subsistence for appointments Respite care during training Ongoing technical support Counseling Primary Family Caregiver Additionally Receive: Post 9-11 Only Monthly caregiver stipend Appropriate Mental health services Respite care not less than 30 days/yr Health care coverage 8

9 Eligibility Criteria - A Snapshot Veteran (or Servicemember undergoing medical discharge) incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001 (includes Traumatic Brain Injury, psychological trauma or other mental disorders). Requires on-going assistance from a Caregiver for a minimum of 6 months to: 1. - Support the Veteran or Servicemember s health and well-being; 2. - Perform personal functions required in everyday living; and 3. - Ensure the Veteran or Servicemember remains safe from hazards or dangers incident to his or her daily environment. ** Note:: there are additional criteria beyond what is listed here 9

10 Primary Family Caregiver Benefits Stipend Direct payment to primary family caregiver Centrally funded and managed Based on wages of a home health aide in the geographic area where the Veteran resides Tiered based on amount and degree of personal care services provided Health Insurance CHAMPVA Travel and Lodging Integrate into existing programs Mental Health Services Individual/Group psychotherapy and counseling VA or by contract 10

Caregiver Education and Training Standardized Core Curriculum Developed in collaboration with Easter Seals In-person, workbook/dvd, or web-based Convenient and easily accessible Well received by

11 Caregiver Education and Training Standardized Core Curriculum Developed in collaboration with Easter Seals In-person, workbook/dvd, or web-based Convenient and easily accessible Well received by Caregivers Exploring option of offering at MTFs Two Thumbs Up, Very Enlightening, Knowledgeable Presenters, and The Networks You Need Important to Be with other Caregivers. Specific Training to Individual Veteran Needs In-home return demonstration Additional training to ensure success 11

12 On-going Support to Veteran & Caregiver In-Home initial visit by VA Clinicians Well-being checks every 90 days or as clinically indicated Home visits are supportive and instructive Evaluation of Veteran and Caregiver s physical and emotional state Recommendations for additional training, support, equipment, etc 12

13 Caregiver Support Program Current Data (May 9-Oct. 24) Applications in process: 3,946 Approved Applications: 1,685 Tier 3 (highest level) 836 Tier Tier 1 (lowest level) ,309 stipends paid in September (about $3 million) Average Monthly Stipend Amount: $1,500-1,800 New Healthcare Coverage enrollees: 320 Caregiver Demographics: Sex: 92% women Relationship: spouses (69%), mothers (9%) Age: yrs old (28%), years old (34%), 65+ years old (30%) 13

VA Caregiver Support Program - Website Provides zip code based interactive Caregiver Support Coordinator locator Contact info for Support Line Caregiver Toolbox Caregiver connections

14 VA Caregiver Support Program - Website Provides zip code based interactive Caregiver Support Coordinator locator Contact info for Support Line Caregiver Toolbox Caregiver connections with stories from peer Caregivers Link to application for new benefits/services with live chat support Averaging 1,500 hits per day with 4 pages viewed during a visit 14

workers 24/7 coverage Follow-up provided by local Caregiver Support

15 VA Caregiver Support Program - Support Line Over 19,000 calls received to date Averaging 150 calls per day Staffed by licensed clinical social workers 24/7 coverage Follow-up provided by local Caregiver Support Coordinators Consistently positive comments and appreciation from Caregivers 15

16 Questions? Meg Kabat, LCSW-C, CCM Deputy Director, Caregiver Support Program Department of Veterans Affairs 16

Assistance and Support Services for Family Caregivers Deborah Amdur, LCSW, ACSW

Assistance and Support Services for Family Caregivers Deborah Amdur, LCSW, ACSW Chief Consultant, Care Management & Social Work Caregivers of Veterans 2 *National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) Study Caregivers