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SANTA ANA, Calif., May 23, 2003-- Physicians in Orange County are gaining increased
awareness of the plight of family caregivers and learning about local services
that can help alleviate caregiver burden. The County of Orange, Office on Aging
is one of more than 150 area agencies on aging across the country participating
in a national program that will focus attention on recognizing the needs of caregivers
who often jeopardize their own health when they care for their loved ones. The
Making the Link program provides a way for physicians to refer caregivers to support
and services in their community. Many caregivers do not identify themselves
as such, physicians and their staff interact frequently with caregivers without
knowing it. Caregivers often accompany an older relative to a doctor's appointment,
or may see the doctor for their own health problems, which they may or may not
associate with their caregiving responsibilities. By participating in Making the
Link: Connecting Caregivers with Services through Physicians, local physicians
will be better positioned to identify their caregiving patients and refer them
to helpful services in the community through the Office on Aging. It is
estimated that in 23% of households nationwide individuals are providing care
for someone who is at least 50 years old and suffering from physical or mental
limitations. Caregivers often need help for themselves. Research studies have
shown that caregiving often results in increased stress, depression, illness,
and even premature mortality. Yet caregiving experts report that physicians do
not routinely recognize the stress that caregivers are under or provide them information
that might be of help. This new program is designed to start to remedy that situation. "Caregivers
give of themselves tirelessly to make life better for their loved ones, often
at their own peril, said Julie Loats, Information & Assistance Manager of
the Office on Aging. "With the help of our local physicians we hope to make
life better for the caregivers as well," Loats added. Area Agencies
on Aging across the country are increasingly providing services to caregivers
as the result of the National Family Caregiver Support Program, enacted by Congress
in 2000 as part of the Older Americans Act. Among the services available are: - Information
about services;
- Assistance in gaining access to supportive services;
- Individual
counseling, support groups and training to help caregivers make decisions and
solve problems related to their caregiving roles;
- Respite care that enables
caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities,
either in the home, at an adult day center, or at an institution on an occasional
or emergency basis; and
- Supplemental services, such as home modification,
assistive technology, emergency response systems, equipment and supplies, and
transportation.
A representative from the Office on Aging will be
visiting the offices of doctors to help "make the link" and spread the
word about caregiver needs and caregiver services.
The Office on Aging provides
resources to nearly 400,000 seniors throughout the County and is dedicated to
improving the lives of older adults. For more information on senior services and
programs, call (800) 510-2020 or visit our website at www.officeonaging.ocgov.com.
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