Navigating SupportCaregiving.org: Insights and Federal Strategies on Caregiving
Insights and Federal Strategies on Caregiving
In the past few years, the federal government has taken a closer look at the hardships faced by the 53 million family caregivers in the United States, recognizing the need to support and empower them. This has resulted in the RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage) Family Caregivers Act in 2018 and the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers 2022. A newly-launched website, supportcaregiving.org, from groups including the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) and the John A. Hartford Foundation, highlights resources that are available to caregivers, including Trualta, drawing from the National Strategy. This post will explore some of the available resources on this site.
The RAISE Family Caregivers Act and the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
As background, the RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage) Family Caregivers Act brought much-needed attention to the vital role played by family caregivers. This groundbreaking legislation laid the foundation for the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, a comprehensive framework designed to address the multifaceted needs of caregivers across federal, state, and local levels.
The National Strategy is a holistic approach, encompassing government, community, and business actions. It aims to foster collaboration, providing a roadmap for stakeholders to actively participate in supporting family caregivers. Government agencies are urged to integrate caregiver support into their programs, while local and community initiatives are encouraged to create a supportive environment. Businesses, too, are called upon to recognize the needs of caregiving employees and implement policies that facilitate a healthy work-life balance.
Supportcaregiving.org, which launched in September 2023, provides family caregiving resource guides for all stakeholders mentioned in the National Strategy. These resource guides include:
Managed Care Plans Resource Guide
For those overseeing healthcare plans, the Managed Care Plans Resource Guide provides insights into optimizing health plans for caregiving needs. It delves into care coordination, communication strategies between caregivers and healthcare providers, and the integration of caregiver support into managed care plans. It highlights successful partnerships and integrations, including Trualta’s. It describes how Trualta has partnered with Mercy Care to offer a caregiving benefit and how Molina Healthcare is offering Trualta in Texas, Indiana, and California.
State Policy Strategy Resource Guide
Recognizing the diversity of caregiving needs across states, the State Policy Strategy Resource Guide offers a roadmap for developing and implementing state-level caregiver support policies. It provides insights into successful policy models, legislative frameworks, and collaborative approaches. State policymakers can leverage this guide to create tailored strategies that address the unique challenges faced by family caregivers in their jurisdiction.
Employers Resource Guide
Recognizing that many caregivers juggle caregiving responsibilities with employment, the Employers Resource Guide addresses the unique challenges faced by working caregivers. It offers practical tips for employers to create a supportive workplace culture, from flexible scheduling to providing resources for caregiving employees to training HR departments about the needs of caregivers.
Funders Resource Guide
The Funders Resource Guide is a beacon for philanthropic organizations and donors looking to make a meaningful impact on caregiving initiatives. It outlines funding opportunities, showcases successful grant programs, and emphasizes the importance of investing in research and innovation. By aligning financial resources with the goals outlined in the National Strategy, funders can contribute significantly to the well-being of family caregivers.
Respite Resource Guide
Respite, or temporary relief for caregivers, is a crucial component of maintaining caregiver well-being. The Respite Resource Guide on supportcaregiving.org offers a comprehensive guide for states to follow in regard to respite care options, from in-home services to community programs. Policymakers can explore examples of how different states assess caregiver needs, how they can fund respite, and what models of respite care currently exist.
Direct Care Resource Guide
The Direct Care Resource Guide focuses on the training and support of paid caregivers, acknowledging their pivotal role in the caregiving ecosystem. It provides resources for improving the quality of direct care, ensuring dignity and respect for care recipients. It addresses ways to increase wages, improve training, encourage career development, and match caregivers with care recipients.
For any organization interested in learning about how to better address caregiver needs, supportcaregiving.org serves as a great starting point. The resource guides on the website empower family caregivers, employers, funders, and policymakers to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who dedicate themselves to the well-being of others. The National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, propelled by the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, lays the groundwork for a collaborative, compassionate, and comprehensive approach to caregiving. It is time to take action based on this guidance.
