ABOUT LOS DEPARTMENTS CALENDAR MEMBER GOVERNMENTS RESOURCES OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT US Area Agency on Aging Active Aging Week Aging Advisory Council Aging Related Trainings Buncombe County Aging Plan Congregate Nutrition Sites Cultural Change in Aging Network of WNC Dementia Friendly WNC Fall Prevention Family Caregiver Support Program Foster Grandparent Program HCCBG Services Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Living Healthy Local and Regional Planning Local Contact Agency (LCA/CRC) Operation Fan/Heat Relief Ombudsman Program Project C.A.R.E. Senior Centers Senior Community Services Employment Program Senior Companion Program Senior Tar Heel Legislature SHIIP TRIAD Volunteer Advisory Council RESOURCES Staff Nancy Hogan Project C.A.R.E. Manager For free, confidential help any time of the day. Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty) Within the next ten years, as the first wave of baby boomers reaches the age of greatest risk from Alzheimer's disease, the number of people affected by dementia will increase dramatically. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death for people of all ages and the fifth leading cause for adults over age 65. In North Carolina, over 170,000 older adults currently have Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia. By 2030, this number is projected to rise to over 288,000. Most care for people with dementia is provided in the home by family members or friends. This type of care is constant and allows few opportunities for rest or time to meet the other demands of "normal" life such as work, family, and personal health concerns. Too often, the long term result is the depletion of financial resources along with the deterioration of the caregiver's health and well-being. Project C.A.R.E. ("Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty") can assist caregivers of people with dementia by providing a Family Consultant to help resolve caregiving issues. The Family Consultant can also connect caregivers with community resources and arrange funding (currently very limited) to help pay for temporary relief, known as "respite" care. Project C.A.R.E. helps reduce caregiver stress and exhaustion so that people with dementia can remain at home for as long as possible. Benefits - Services Include: A Family Consultant with expertise in dementia care who provides in-home needs assessment, counseling, information, and help making care decisions. Assistance for caregivers in finding and selecting the type of respite and support services that best meets their needs. Funding assistance when available for those who qualify for support of in-home personal care, adult day services, group respite and/or overnight residential respite care for eligible families. Training and educational resources for family caregivers, respite care providers and community organizations. Linkage to local Area Agencies on Aging for additional family support services. Linkage to the State Alzheimer's Association Chapters to access a wide variety of programs, services and educational resources for people affected by Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementias. Eligibility - Basic Requirements Include: 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 15 westernmost counties served by Western Project C.A.R.E.: Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, and Transylvania. Caregivers receiving services through the Medicaid Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) are eligible for all 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. There are no age restrictions for the person with dementia or the family caregiver. Family caregivers are eligible for PC care consultation and respite who are age 18 years of age or older. While there are no specific income limitations, Project C.A.R.E. gives priority to low-income, rural and minority families. Land of Sky Regional Council, Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, Duke Family Support Program, Cape Fear Council of Government, Western Piedmont Council of Government, Albemarle Commission and Cape Fear Council of Governments are responsible for delivering the services of Project C.A.R.E., a national best practice model for consumer-directed respite care specifically designed for caregivers of people with dementia. The goal of the program is to increase quality, access, choice and use of respite and support services for families caring for a person with dementia at home. Project C.A.R.E. serves caregivers in each of the 100 counties in North Carolina. Project C.A.R.E. is funded be the State and administered by the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services with expert consultation and technical assistance provided by the Duke Aging Center Family Support Program. North Carolina has been successful in serving caregivers of people with dementia through Project C.A.R.E. since 2001. NC Health and Human Services Project CARE Dementia Friendly WNC Dementia Friendly WNC is committed to the well-being of people living with dementia and their families through a welcoming and knowledgeable community. Dementia Friendly WNC is a grass roots organization dedicated to creating a community where all members are respected and valued. CREATIVE REGIONAL SOLUTIONS Land of Sky Regional Council | 339 New Leicester Hwy., Suite 140 | Asheville, NC 28806 p: 828.251.6622 | f: 828.251.6353 | info@landofsky.org Copyright © 2012 | Land of Sky Regional Council | All Rights Reserved