Posts Tagged ‘Programs’

Federal Programs for Supporting Brain Injury Caregivers and Victims

Legislation

One of the first major efforts by the U.S. government to acknowledge the need for special attention and action on the part of victims of traumatic brain injury was the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990. Yet, it took another six years before the Traumatic Brain Injury Act formally acknowledged brain injury as a major disability population. It authorizes research specific to traumatic brain injury, and strategies to prevent and increase awareness of this injury and improve access to services.

Many bills have been introduced, such as the Medicare Access to Complex Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Act, Kinship Caregiver Support Act, Keeping Families Together Act of 2007, and others which help caregivers with access to needed services, a wider choice of appropriate services, and making the transition between options. Some of these acts expand the services allowed under existing programs, and others create new programs.

The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), Title III-E, under the Older Americans Act and the Native American Caregiver Support Program under Title VI-C provide grants to states for the purpose of developing programs that assist the caregiver.

Financial and Transitional Assistance

The Social Security Administration?s (SSA) Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) is available to disabled adults who have had taxable earnings during any part of 40 quarters, and on which the employee paid Medicare and FICA taxes. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is available to disabled adults who have not met the 40-quarter requirement and have little or no income or assets.

Persons on SSDI are entitled to Medicare benefits beginning on the 25th month after their SSDI payments began. Legislation has been proposed that would reduce the waiting period for Medicare for disabled persons who have life-threatening disabilities. Medicaid is a state medical coverage program that is matched from Medicare funds. There are strict eligibility requirements for Medicaid, but usually no waiting period once eligibility is established.

The SSA?s Ticket to Work Program (TTW) offers assistance for persons with disabilities who want to enter the workforce to whatever degree they can. The SSA identifies individuals who are likely to need high cost accommodations, such as a personal assistant, workplace modification, assistive technologies and more.

Another government effort supporting veterans is through the America?s Heros at Work site that offers help to veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who are trying to return to work.

Tax Relief

Congress has introduced numerous tax credit and tax reduction bills that allow tax benefits to either the caregivers or victims of brain injury. U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs assists persons with disabilities by offering counselors to help find public housing, housing vouchers, relocation and rent assistance, and more.

For more information about programs that support victims of brain injury and their caregivers please refer to the website of McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, P.A.

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Old Colony Elderly Services Announces Three Key Programs –

The “Caring Homes” Program, is a community option for seniors age 60 years and older. Applicants for this program must meet state home care guidelines. The program provides supportive services in a private home to elders with complex medical and/or cognitive needs. Elders receive room, board, 24-hour supervision, assistance with daily activities and personal care. The caregiver may be a family member but not a spouse or a legal guardian. The elder pays the caregiver room and board. The caregiver also receives a monthly stipend (approx. $50 per day) for providing personal care services. The Caring Homes Program is funded by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) and is a non-Mass Health program.

The “Enhanced Adult Family Care” program is specifically for elderly or disabled adults who are on MassHealth. Individuals who have complex medical and/or cognitive needs may receive supportive services in a home-like setting from a caregiver. Again, the caregiver may be a family member, but not a spouse or legal guardian. The individual pays the caregiver room and board and the caregiver receives a monthly stipend of $49.05 per day for providing personal care services. Enhanced Adult Family Care is funded by Mass Health.

The “Adult Family Care” program is for elders or disabled adults who do not require around-the-clock care and are on MassHealth. Elders who require assistance with one activity of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, may be eligible for this program. The elder pays the caregiver room and board and the caregiver receives a monthly stipend (approx. $20 per day) for providing personal care services. This option is not available to spouses or legal guardians. Adult Family Care is funded by Mass Health.

In order to qualify for the “Caring Homes” or “Enhanced Adult Family Care”, an elder must meet the clinical requirements. They must be in need of hands-on physical assistance with at least three activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and eating or require assistance with just two activities of daily living in addition to the need for management of behaviors such as wandering.

According to Kristina Gardiner, Adult Family Care/Caring Homes Director at OCES, ”The Caring Homes and Adult Family Care Programs provide an incredible opportunity for caregivers who would like to provide care in the home setting. The caregiver not only receives a tax-free daily stipend, but the ongoing support of a Registered Nurse and Licensed Social Worker.”

For more information about these three programs, contact Kristina Gardiner at

OCES 1-800-242-0246, extension 230.

OCES serves the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

About Old Colony Elderly Services

Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elderly Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The organization’s mission is to provide services which will support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

The agency has 110 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oc-elderly.org.

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Caregiver Training Programs Provide The Tools To Change The World

Humankind’s greatest strengths have always been adaptation and the ability to band together to increase strength, or strength in numbers. By developing a sense of community, we build the necessity to care for one another, to support one another, and to demonstrate compassion. Thousands of programs exist all over the world, designed to improve community outreach, and better the lives of all who dwell within the community. Unfortunately, elderly persons do not often get the care that they need; and that care involves more than simply showing up once a week to check on a neighbor, though even that is better than nothing. Many churches, hospitals and home health agencies work to train individuals, with caregiver training programs, who are interested in making someone’s life better.


There are three main elements that a person must become an expert with in order to properly care for aging members of the community. First and foremost is the physical aspect. As we age, our bodies react differently to a number of external and internal stimuli, and those reactionary changes can cause physical stress to the body. We become more susceptible to disease and injury. Well-designed caregiver training programs emphasize the instruction of skills that will help caregivers to properly care for the potential physical ailments they might encounter. Medications, infection control and vital signs are just some of the physical elements that a caregiver must learn.


The emotional aspect is usually already within the capacity of a caregiver’s skills. Hopefully, it is their compassion and empathy (not sympathy or pity) that brought them to the goal of completing caregiver training programs. Providing mental care is similar to emotional care; in addition to caring for someone’s physical health and safety, a caregiver must enjoy conversing with those that he or she cares for. Many times, companionship can strengthen a person’s physical resistance to disease and injury.


What should future caregivers expect from their caregiver training program? The answer is a variety of resources that will educate them on the essentials of providing care. Through that education and learned understanding, caregivers will be prepared to handle physical conditions. They will also be emotionally and mentally prepared for what they will encounter. Sometimes, seeing someone who is sick can hamper another’s ability to act appropriately or quickly enough to actually help that individual. By simply educating the mind, future caregivers will know what to expect. They will know what certain diseases and infections look like, and instead of looking after their own shock, they will be able to look after the person for whom they’re providing care.


How do caregiver training programs work? That variety of materials, books, DVDs and manuals provide a backbone for the step by step movement through the program. By the time the caregiver has finished the training, he or she will not only be well versed in the possible situations he or she might encounter, but also will be prepared not only to handle it themselves but to guide the person for whom they will care through a potentially dangerous and frightening situation. To become a caregiver requires unmatched compassion and a passion for learning. Individuals who possess those qualities and want to improve the world by improving the quality of life in their own communities are strong candidates for the profession that is to give care to the elderly and those who find themselves facing difficulty completing life’s everyday tasks. With a caregiver training program under their belt, caregivers can enjoy a rewarding career and lifestyle that involves improving the community and helping others to adapt to possibly adverse conditions.

Medifecta.com provides a variety of caregiver training programs for both professional and family caregivers.

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