Caregiving

AARP Delaware and the YMCA of Delaware have teamed up to deliver health education and diabetes prevention, aimed at improving the health and well-being of Delawareans age 50+ and their families. The partnership is part of a national effort, whereby the two organizations will work together to reach a variety of cultures and communities with information about preventing diabetes and staying healthy.

Delaware’s population is aging faster than the national average. Are supportive services for long-term care adequate to deal with this trend?

The State of Delaware has eliminated the Senior Prescription Assistance Program due to cuts in the budget approved this past July. The State sent a letter to each senior who had been receiving assistance through the program, telling them the program was ending. The letter also explained that seniors who were losing the state benefit had the option to switch to a Part D prescription plan with a lower premium.

In support of unpaid family caregivers, AARP Delaware is sponsoring a room at the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware. The house provides shelter for families of children who are seriously or chronically ill or injured and are receiving treatment at area hospitals.

On Monday, September 11, 2017, AARP Delaware will dedicate a room for caregivers at the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware as part of their “Adopt-a-Room” program. AARP State Director Lucretia Young will present a check to Ronald McDonald House CEO Pam Cornforth during a press conference at 11:30 am. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long will be keynote speaker.

Delaware ranks twenty-eighth overall when it comes to meeting the long-term care needs of older residents and people with disabilities, but AARP warns more must be done, at an accelerated pace, to meet changing demographic demands. Specific areas of concern in Delaware include “Support for Family Caregivers,” in particular the area of nurse delegation and nurse practitioner scope of practice. This, according to a new, comprehensive state-by-state Scorecard from AARP with support of the nation’s leading organizations behind quality long-term care, The Commonwealth Fund and SCAN Foundation.

Caring for a loved one? AARP Delaware is distributing a wallet card that spells out new support for family caregivers under a state law that took effect this year.

Caring for a parent, spouse or other adult? AARP Delaware is distributing a wallet card that spells out new support for family caregivers under a state law that took effect Jan. 1.

Caregiving can be stressful, exhausting and daunting. A new state law aims to ease the stress by providing caregivers with training and support when a loved one comes home from a hospital stay.

To recognize their work to support family caregivers in Delaware, AARP named four Legislators as 2016 “Capitol Caregivers,” on Jan. 11 as part of a bipartisan group of elected officials from more than 23 states. These leaders have advanced policies to help family caregivers who are making it possible for all Delawareans to live independently in their homes and communities—where they want to be.