Project C.A.R.E. (Caregivers Alternative to Running on Empty)

Project C.A.R.E. (Caregivers Alternative to Running on Empty)

This program provides training and resources for family caregivers, care providers and community.

• Family Consultants with expertise in dementia care providing in-home needs assessments to provide consumer-directed respite care and comprehensive support to caregivers of people with dementia .
• Assistance for caregivers in finding and selecting respite care to meet needs.
• Funding to support in-home personal care, adult day services, group respite and/or overnight care.       

Project CARE has links to state Alzheimer's Association chapters and local area agencies on aging.

Through the integration of dementia-capable services and the development of family-centered and caregiver-focused community care networks, Project C.A.R.E. helps create a seamless, coordinated delivery system that is responsive to the needs, values and preferences of Alzheimer's families. Project C.A.R.E. is administered through the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) with expert consultation and technical assistance provided by the Duke Aging Center Family Support Program. The program is implemented at the local level through Family Consultants. Project C.A.R.E. is currently based within the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, two regional Area Agencies on Aging (Q and N) and Park Ridge Health. The Project C.A.R.E. staff at Park Ridge (based in Hendersonville) serve as the program’s statewide training and technical assistance resource.

Services Provided:

• Respite Care: Through Project C.A.R.E., dementia caregivers may spend up to $2500 per year toward respite services. Families are able to choose among a full continuum of consumer-directed care options, including adult day services, group respite, private or agency in-home care and overnight residential respite.

• Family Consultation: Project C.A.R.E. employs Family Consultants with expertise in Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. The Family Consultants visit the homes of referred or self-referred dementia caregivers in crises and offer timely, individualized assessment, guidance, counseling, support, advocacy, coaching and education. Their aim is to match families with the most appropriate and preferred local respite and community services tailored to their unique situation and needs.

• REACH II:Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health ("REACH II") is an evidence-based Alzheimer's intervention offered to "high risk" families (i.e., little to no social support, high levels of depression and stress, poor physical health). The REACH II intervention provides one-on-one counseling, training and skill-building through 12 intensive sessions over 6 months. The key components of REACH II include: 1) risk assessment; 2) education on Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia; 3) safety; 4) physical and emotional well-being; and 5) social support.

Eligibility

• Confirmation of Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia (memory loss and confusion) by caregiver, physician or healthcare provider.

• Residence of the person with dementia must be in one of the counties served by Project C.A.R.E.

• Caregivers receiving services through the Medicaid Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) are eligible for all the benefits of Project C.A.R.E., excluding additional respite funding. Caregivers may receive respite funds through Project C.A.R.E.while on the waiting list for CAP/DA services.

• Caregivers can be receiving services through the Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) or the State Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) if funding is for a different type of service or collaboration between programs is evident.

• There are no age restrictions for the person with dementia or the caregiver.

• While there are no specific income limitations, priority is given to low-income, rural and minority families.

For more information, please see: http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/aging/ad/NCAlzDemo.htm