NHC unveils caregiver relief plan
If the National Health Council (NHC) gets its way, beleaguered caregivers would no longer have to struggle to access the support and resources they need in caring for their terminally ill or chronically ill loved ones. In September, NHC released an action plan to help family caregivers that includes a "vision of a supportive environment for American family caregivers."
The Council’s Agenda for Action, which is an outgrowth of a national conference the council held last winter, also includes proposed public policy that enables caregivers to have ready access to information, direct services, and financial assistance from government and private sector organizations.
"We expect that this Agenda for Action will build a national agenda for caregiving issues that will incorporate the enormous contribution of the family caregiver into our changing health care system. The actions in this plan are concrete, measurable steps that can be accomplished within the next three to five years," says NHC president Myrl Weinberg.
The Agenda for Action calls for the following measures:
• Research — to identify best practices and model programs, as well as existing programs.
• Advocacy — to encourage federal and state legislators to enact programs to support family caregivers.
• Education/awareness — to develop programs that help create support for the policy and behavior changes.
• Training — to help family caregivers perform all aspects of their role, both medical and nonmedical.
• Partnerships — to develop connections among groups with expertise and interest in this area.
Vice President Al Gore applauded the NHC’s action plan. "I commend [the council’s] dedication to helping Americans meet the challenges of caring for a loved one with long-term care needs," he said. "Please be assured that you have my strongest support for the important work you are doing. Together, we can help families across the United States who struggle financially and emotionally to care for their loved ones."
The council hopes the release of its plan will spark increased interest in addressing family caregiver issues. Weinberg said the council’s primary role will be help facilitate communication among experts who will be carrying out the Agenda for Action and to help coordinate their efforts.
"We expect that existing organizations, such as those that participated in the council’s conference last winter, will carry out the action steps," she says.
The Agenda for Action was developed by experts in family caregiving who attended the council’s conference. Participants included caregivers, policymakers, legislators, health care professionals, health insurance companies, patient representatives, social service agencies, employers, clergy, and academicians.
"Clearly, there are no single or simple solutions, but important steps can and must be taken now to aid this valuable but vulnerable population of Americans," Weinberg says. "The toll on the extraordinary individuals who are caregivers appears to be increasing, and it seems likely that in the future they will be asked to take on even more responsibility. Their needs for information and education, referral, and resource management services, financial assistance, and a wide range of support will only increase."
The NHC is a private, nonprofit coalition of more than 110 national health organizations that focuses on improving health care quality given to people with chronic diseases and/or disabilities.
[Editor’s note: Copies of the report are available by contacting the NHC at (202) 785-3910. Single copies are $12; quantity discounts are available.]
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