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The National Alliance for Caregiving and the MetLife Foundation Honor Programs That Make a Difference

Posted on: Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 12:03 CDT

Representatives of leading non-profit organizations convened today in San Francisco to honor the 2007 winners of the National Family Caregiving Awards, recognizing outstanding community-based programs that support family caregivers providing assistance to older adults. Sponsored by the National Alliance for Caregiving, with support from MetLife Foundation, the awards noted programs for their innovation, effectiveness, and response to caregiver needs.

Nearly 100 non-profit organizations competed in the categories of caregiver support, education, and technology. The agencies assist family caregivers in their effort to keep older adults in their own homes or with family as research shows that the vast majority of Americans prefer to remain in their own homes as they age. Applicants were judged by a panel of caregiving experts. The top six programs were awarded $25,000 each to continue and enhance their work.

"We were thrilled to learn about so many excellent programs around the country that have found innovative and effective ways of supporting the efforts of the family caregivers," said Gail Gibson Hunt, President & CEO, National Alliance for Caregiving. "Thousands of nonprofit agencies across the United States provide these sorts of services, and we hope that other non-profits will be inspired by these programs, by seeing the possibilities and taking on the challenge of improving the level of support to caregivers."

This year's award winners are:

Southern Caregiver Resource Center, San Diego, California (Caregiver Support) -- The agency's "A Space of Beauty" journaling program pairs San Diego artists with caregivers to create journals that help support caregivers on their complex journey.

Alzheimer's Family Services, Beaufort, South Carolina (Caregiver Support) -- This program was recognized for its Home Educator program which provides an array of services, including support, education and counseling for caregivers in remote areas of coastal South Carolina. Services are based on an in-home evaluation of the older person and the caregiver.

Legacy Caregiver Services, Portland, Oregon (Caregiver Education) - Its "Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC)" provides family caregivers with the skills and confidence they need to better care for themselves while caring for someone with a chronic illness. Caregivers learn to use community resources, to better manage their stress, to communicate effectively with friends, family, and healthcare providers and to cope with difficult emotions.

The House of Justice -- Bet Tzedek Legal Services, Los Angeles, California (Caregiver Education) -- The organization's JustCare: Caregiver Education Project offers unique and effective strategies to address major problems confronting low-income, elderly and disabled Los Angelenos and their caregivers. The JustCare program ensures that caregivers and their families have access to a wide array of support services.

MinnesotaHelp Network, Rochester, Minnesota (Technology) - Its "Long-term Care Choices for Seniors, Families, and Caregivers" is a web-based decision tool used to identify needs, locate community services and create a plan of care. Those using Long-term Care Choices can learn about various care and housing options and receive a personal plan based on their needs which can be updated as needs change.

Montana State University Extension, Bozeman, Montana (Caregiver Education) -- The extension's Alzheimer's Caregiver Series travels to rural caregivers to educate them about Alzheimer's disease and helps them to understand the importance of caring for themselves. The organization was also honored with a special "MetLife Foundation Excellence in Alzheimer's Support Award" for its commitment to improving the lives of those with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.

Two programs received honorable mention awards: Senior Services in Albany, New York for telephone support groups that employ teleconferencing technology to deliver support services to caregivers in their own homes, which helps individuals who would otherwise be unable to participate in group discussions; and the Asian Community Center in Sacramento, California for its Drop-In Respite and Co-Op program, which operates as a caregiver-volunteer respite program where caregivers can "earn and buy" respite time.

"Family members provide much of the day-to-day care needed by older adults who are frail, impaired or in poor health," said Sibyl Jacobson, President, MetLife Foundation. "These programs are making enormous contributions and finding creative ways to better serve the needs of family caregivers."

Family caregiving is the underpinning of the country's healthcare system with its value estimated at $306 billion per year--more than that of home care and nursing care combined. Experts anticipate that family caregiving will continue to grow. Currently, there are more than 44.4 million family caregivers in the U.S. Nearly 60% of caregivers work and nearly 40% of caregivers have children under the age of 18. Managing the priorities of work and family, in addition to caregiving, is stressful, costly, and can exact a heavy toll resulting in stress, burn-out and other health problems.

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife to carry on its long-standing tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation has been involved in a variety of aging-related initiatives addressing issues of caregiving, intergenerational activities, mental fitness, health and wellness programs and civic involvement. More information about the Foundation is available at www.metlife.org.

Established in 1996, The National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on issues of family caregiving. Alliance members include grassroots organizations, professional associations, service organizations, disease-specific organizations, a government agency, and corporations. The Alliance was created to conduct research, do policy analysis, develop national programs and increase public awareness of family caregiving issues. Recognizing that family caregivers provide important societal and financial contributions toward maintaining the well-being of those they care for, the Alliance's mission is to be the objective national resource on family caregiving with the goal of improving the quality of life for families and care recipients. For more information, including details about the competition and detailed profiles of the award winners, visit www.caregiving.org.

Source: Business Wire

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