Area Agency on Aging 8 :: Caregiver Advocacy Program

Caregiver Advocacy Program

Our caregiver advocacy program addresses the growing needs of informal caregivers and those they care for. This program also includes the following:

INFORMATION & REFERRAL provides information and referral to community resources (legal/financial, transportation, support groups, home health services, hospice services, health services) and emergency services (financial aid, shelters, food, clothing).
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM designed to help seniors better understand the medications they are taking and identify potentially dangerous interactions with other medications they are taking as well as potential side effects.
RESPITE CARE such as personal care, homemaking, or adult day services, provide short-term assistance for an older person so the caregiver can have some free time.
LEGAL SERVICES provide education and assistance to caregivers in matters of Living Wills, Health Care Power of Attorney information and documentation, and Durable Power of Attorney information and documentation.
CAREGIVER TRAINING in-home training to caregivers:
- Proper body mechanics in moving lifting, or transferring a care receiver
- Techniques on how to give a bath to a person who is bed bound
- Use of assistive devices such as gait belts
- Use of medical equipment such as a hydraulic hoyer lift
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASES designed to assist and compliment the care a caregiver provides, medical equipment purchases are limited and determined by the program coordinator on a need basis. Purchases include but are not limited to linen savers such as chuxs pads, safety devices for doors and windows etc.
PROJECT LIFESAVER designed as a rapid response search and rescue service, using state of the art technologies and strategies to prevent or reduce the potential of harm to individuals suffering from Alzheimer's, Downs Syndrome, Autism, traumatic brain injuries, and cognitive impairments. These individuals may tend to wander away from their residences and become confused or lost.

The one-ounce transmitter emits a personalized silent constant pulsating radio signal 24-hrs a day. The transmitter is housed in a wristband unit that looks like a watch. It can be worn on the wrist or ankle. The radio signal can be located up to several miles away on land or in the air. Once notified the team responds on the ground to the wanderer's area and starts searching with the mobile locator tracking system.