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NEW PROGRAM EASES LOAD SHOULDERED BY CAREGIVERS
Thousands of people in Massachusetts find themselves dealing with one or more eldercare problems every day. To help families find the resources needed to respond effectively, Elder Affairs through federal funding recently launched the Massachusetts Family Caregiver Support Program. This statewide program recognized caregivers’ critical role of providing long term care to help elders remain in their homes and communities.
The program offers information, advice and access to local resources, support groups, respite care, and training services to elders and families. Additional services also are available for grandparents raising grandchildren and aging caregivers’ of those with developmental disabilities. The program works closely with local businesses, faith-based organizations and other community-based agencies, to raise awareness of caregivers’ special needs. “This Caregiver Program reinforces the Swift administration’s commitment to providing family-focused, community-based care for elders.” The Council on Aging will be implementing a caregivers program in September.
GOVERNOR SWIFT URGES ELDERS TO CONSIDER A HEALTH CARE PROXY
Health care proxy forms and instructions are now available at Elder Affairs and the Center. A proxy allows an individual to ensure that a person’s health care decisions are respected when his/her ability to make or communicate such decisions is lost. By taking advantage of the proxy, people can avoid the trauma of a health care catastrophe that forces families to grapple with life and death decisions without guidance from their loved one. Since the proxy’s 1990 implementation, thousands of elders have benefited from this legally recognized document by appointing a trusted family member or friend to make critical medical decisions.
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