What can communities do to support caregivers?

They need no- or low-cost quality in-home help so they can take breaks. Or, they need low-cost, no-cost adult day care that is drop-in. They don't want more time with the person they are caring for, they need to get away from them and have a life. Most people who are providing care themselves (rather than a NH) is due to finances or elderly parents who adamantly refuse to live in a facility even though they are in dire need of it. Please read the many posts on this forum regarding caregiver burnout to truly understand the issues. It's not about programs and educating people (for the most part). It's about costs and available help and in-home services.

Jack, I read your post yesterday and thought that it's an insightful, and more practical approach and request than other students who seem to just want answers for a term paper or other class requirement.

I've been thinking about this, and want to do so more as your question deserves good answers and suggestions.

The first thing I thought of would be based on your principal of bringing in universities and the education system, to create a new curriculum category in the medical field, something similar to  a first responder caregiver category.

First responders do become involved, but that's on a treat and pass on basis.   And they're probably already overwhelmed.   In my area, first responders (such as medics with EMS) are trained at community colleges.    Perhaps a subspecialty of a medic with a geriatric specialty could be a possibility.

In addition, my observations have been that geriatric care may be a specialty at the NP, PA or physician level, and that some staff in facilities have more experience in geriatrics than others, but I think that specialty could also benefit from specific training in an educational facility with a medical program (as at least one university with a post grad medical program already has).

What seems to be the situation is that some staff in care facilities are more sympathetic than others to elders. 

In addition, community ed programs could be expanded to include geriatric issues, not care on the level of a medical personnel, but the basics.  If you skim through the posts here as suggested, you'll also find that some people are uncertain about when to seek medical help, and are making decisions not based on good common sense or knowledge (such as not calling EMS b/c of failure or inability to recognize a bona fide emergency.

Making the educational community a partner in geriatric training should provide standardization protocols, and avoid the benefit of legislation to provide community funding (although the money wasted on a certain individual's golfing trips to FL and his wife's outrageous expenditures would be better used for training than for self indulgence.)

What you might consider is getting your class instructor on board, then management, then form an advisory group including existing first responders, medical providers, selected caregivers and relevant organizations such as the Jewish Community Services, the Alzheimer's Organization,  and AARP.  I specifically do not include Area Agency on Aging b/c in my area their focus has shifted away  from providing assistance on an outreach basis.

You might also want to study the VA's Caregiver outreach programs, and consult with the Alzheimer's Association on their Creating Confident Caregiver programs.   I've praised this several times on this forum, and will continue to do so.  It's an excellent method of providing assistance, information, sometimes counseling and suggestions, as well as camaraderie to caregivers in need.  

You might even consider having their social workers or other staff guest teach lessons.

Geaten's observations of respite care could also factor into your curriculum.  Our local county does provide respite care, but I don't know how much training is offered.   This is where standardization can be very helpful.

Another thought is to consult Girl and Boy Scout leaders, with the goal of creating a Caregiving Badge (if one isn't already in existence).   This adds younger people to the outreach group, and offers training while people are still young so that not only are they more prepared for their own eldercare activities, they more likely to become politically activated than older caregivers who are overwhelmed.

Perhaps you can find someone like Greta Thunberg to champion the caregiving cause!   From what I've read, younger people like her feel adamantly about their causes, and we certainly need that.

I hope these thoughts help.  Please feel free to raise other issues, discuss, or challenge if you wish.

I worked as an Admin. Assistant for a Visiting Nurse Assoc. We were non-profit and subsidized by the Township. They paid for the building our offices were in, its upkeep, the car used and our salaries. No resident paid for the care we gave. Medicare doesn't pay for everything and the nurses did those things Medicare wouldn't pay for. Under a Drs. order the nurses would check vitals, like BP, as the doctor request. They did weekly pills planners. Wound care. Even though bathing was not something that was usually done, the nurses did it. Catheters and toileting during the visit. Even getting a quick breakfast or lunch. They weren't there all day but did what they could each visit. We had residents come in for shots they couldn't do for themselves. A client could call anytime and one of the nurses would go to see them.

We had a Board and they ran an emergency food closet and used clothing room.

I just want to say thanks! You’re a special young man to care. We need more people like you who aren’t just talking but doing!

I appreciate it and I feel you will get back as much as you give.

Best wishes to you and may you have great success in future endeavors.

I agree with all who posted. Great ideas!

I work with caregivers and some of them are employed on a full time basis, in addition to caring for their loved one in the home. They are usually always in fear of losing their employment, if they haven't already, because of the frequent absences required for the loved ones many doctor appointments, ER visits etc. Finding a way to help employers facilitate caregiving would be beneficial, but I do understand that employer's need their staff too. Maybe more flexibility in allowing the employee to schedule their hours or make up missed time is one option.....