Family Caregiver Support Program

Cindy ClarkVNA of Western PA

PHA 40th Annual ConferenceMay 18, 2011

Taking ChargeObjectives for Caregivers:• Support• Education• Pampering• Assist with Coping• Reduce stress• Remain healthy• Optimize care giving ability

Best Practice Issue:• Need in communities for care and

support of over 40 million caregivers in USA today• Previous Shining Stars Program

offered full day of outreach for caregivers and need was voiced for more programs• VNA researched caregiver issues

and began building enhanced programs for caregivers

Plan to Resolve Issue:• The Family Caregivers Alliance (FCA) Best

Practice Models for education and support• Framework built for “Taking Charge: A

Program to Empower Family Caregivers”• Grant obtained to launch one year program• Monthly sessions held while care giving

services were provided to the attendees loved ones on-site or in their homes

• Sessions included group discussion, education on caregiver issues, lunch, guidance in setting realistic goals for holistic health improvement and completion of individualized “Take Charge Action Plan”, a unique tool designed by VNA

Method to Evaluate Outcome:

• Participants completed evaluation midway through year and at end• Likert Scale analysis showed

improvement in areas of high satisfaction with program• Group continued to meet on their own

after the year’s program was complete!• Repeat funding for year two was

granted secondary evaluation results

Replication and Sustainability:• Train the Trainer program developed called

“Creating Successful Programs to Empower Family Caregivers”• Offered to leaders of community organizations

who have caregiver constituents• Workshop was presented at PHN Conference• VNA continues to offer caregiver support such

as lending library, one on one counseling, resource guide and website:www.celebratehomecare.com

Empower Caregivers:We can…

…gain confidence in our abilitiesto bring about positive changesin our caregiving circumstances.

…learn to rise aboveThe day-to-day challenges we face

And gain energy to power ourselvesTo do what it takes.

…learn to manage caregivingRather than let it overwhelm us.…strive for a better quality of life

For ourselvesAnd for our families.

Thank you!Taking Charge Program was developed by:

Jolene Formaini, RN, MA, CTCertified in Thanatology: Dying, Death and Bereavement

Bereavement Coordinator, VNA Hospice