Weinberg Foundation Grant for Caregiving

 

       

A three year grant was awarded by the Weinberg Foundation, in the fall of 2009, to a group of partners in Hancock and Washington County who have a mutual, deep-seated interest in improving services to caregivers.

          This group’s goal is to bring together and build upon the established, but limited, resources and  community options which are essential for caregivers to keep their loved ones at home – a more desired and affordable place to be than nursing or residential care.

          Some potential options include creating more adult day programs, getting additional help in the home or outside the home which would give caregivers a break, and providing or increasing transportation options, education and training for caregivers.

          Every community is different and programs need to be developed to meet these unique needs.  Caregivers have often expressed frustration at how difficult it can be to find help or move from one health care place to another.  Making a “case manager” or “navigator “ available and affordable to help with difficult transitions will be possible.

          Caregivers often need additional paid help to provide the necessary day to day care.  Finding and hiring qualified staff is increasingly difficult. We are enthusiastic about bringing  more educational options to both caregivers and to area students who quite possibly will become inspired to enter this field, and devote their professional lives to the ever growing elder population and those who care for them.

          It is critical that caregivers pay attention to their own physical, mental and emotional health in order to continue caring for another. By offering training, education, support and more “respite” options, we predict improved health and well being of the caregivers. We will encourage a “Take care of yourself and stay healthy” mind-set.

          Most importantly, we will determine the “wants” and the “needs” of the caregivers in each region, while gaining a clear understanding of what it really means to be a caregiver day in and day out. We will also discern what resources are already available in the region and what is missing, with a goal of filling in the gaps.

 

Weinberg Grant Partners

 

University on Maine Center on Aging

University of Maine School of Social Work                      

Regional Medical Center at Lubec                             

Rosscare-Eastern Maine Healthcare Affiliate              

Washington Hancock Community Agency

Friendship Cottage in Blue Hill

Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition

Healthy Peninsula

Bucksport Bay Friends

Hospice of Hancock County