You’re the Mayor. How Do You Help Family Caregivers?
Mar 6 2013 in What Do You Think? by Denise
When you announce your caregiving initiatives, you’ll stand behind a podium like this one.
Today, I moderated the bi-monthly chat on Twitter I co-sponsor with Michelle Seitzer (@seniors4living). Our discussion focused on a variation of this question: How can the government, corporations and researchers help family caregivers?
Over the next few days, I’ll pose the questions to you that I asked during our chat. I’d love to know your thoughts and insights.
So, for today, here’s your question: You are mayor of your town or city. How would you spend money to help your residents who care for a family member or friend? In essence, as mayor, what programs and services would you create to help individuals like yourself?
Please share your ideas and thoughts in our comments section, below.
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ejourneys said on March 6, 2013
My small town doesn’t even have a mayor! But my county has a sheriff and a board of commissioners. So I will just have to be Queen.
As Queen of an area with low population density, I would:
1. Charge both county hospitals with adding caregiver support groups to their support group services.
2. Establish caregiver respite services with the help of the county’s several home health care businesses (some of which already offer respite services).
3. Find ways to use the county’s substantial volunteer base to help family caregivers with everyday tasks, like shopping or yard work.
4. Establish a caregiver column in the local paper to keep citizens informed.
5. Establish a caregiver liaison in the county health department, including informational sessions with police, fire, EMT, and other emergency personnel. Encourage caregivers to tell the liaison what they need and work to meet those needs.
6. Coordinate with county health care providers and other health care services, such as ALFs and health care organizations. Establish and maintain a clearinghouse of all services and facilities with the help of the county library.
7. Make caregiver support a priority for our elected representatives.
Denise said on March 7, 2013
Hi EJ–I love your ideas. And, I LOVE that you are queen. !!
As mayor of Chicago, I would implement all your ideas plus start a Caregiving Squad:
http://www.caregiving.com/2013/02/the-future-of-caregiving-a-community-caregiving-squad/
Denise said on March 7, 2013
I would also create caregiving resource centers within libraries with daily caregiving support groups meetings.