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Caregiver Adaptations to Reduce Environmental Stress

(CARES): The Role of Environmental Coping Strategies (ECS)

Dory Sabata, OTD, OTR

Co-Author Julie Overton, MHA, MSG

AoA National Summit: Creating Healthy and Caring Communities

September 23, 2003

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Overview

Importance of ECS for Caregivers

Project Overview & Findings

Problematic Activities in the Home & Low-Tech Solutions

NFCSP and Funding for ECS

Summary and Recommendations

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Importance of ECS for Caregivers Environmental coping

strategies (ECS): changes made to the home environment

that enhance care and reduce physical stress of caregivers

Home Modifications (HM)

Assistive Devices (AD)

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Goal of CARES

To create and stimulate improved systems of support services that increase caregiver utilization of ECS to reduce physical burden

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Objectives of CARES

1. Assess caregivers

2. Educate service providers on ECS

3. Stimulate aging network activities

4. Evaluate and disseminate strategies

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Caregiver Focus Groups

Convenience sample 4 groups, N=29 (6, 5, 9, 9) Primarily live with the care

recipient (CR) CR: parent, spouse, other

relative Average 4-6 yrs. as caregiver

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Lessons from Caregivers Most physically demanding

Lifting, transferring, and bathing

Most frequent HM Grab bars Homemade strategies

Most problematic room Bathroom

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Lessons from Caregivers (cont.)

Concerns of community mobility Getting out Transportation

Limited use of ECS Cost prohibitive Benefits not understood

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Lessons from Caregivers (cont.)

Perception of financial assistance Funding only for institutional care Deplete own finances at home

Where to go? Hardware Stores Retail stores

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Problematic Activities & Low Tech Solutions Toileting Bathing

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Problematic Activities & Low Tech Solutions (cont.)

Using steps

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Problematic Activities & Low Tech Solutions (cont.)

Moving around in the home Getting in and out

Of the home Of a vehicle

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NFCSP & Funding for ECS AAA’s identify funding as #1

Informational need for ECSChallenge to caregiver services

Piece together fundingOrange County AAA and

Rebuilding Together

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NFCSP & Funding for ECS (cont.)

Sub-contract services Reimburse families Utilize community service

groups Train Care Managers

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Recommendations Utilize NFCSP Supplemental

Services for HM and AD services

Provide Caregivers information on ECS Outreach Support groups

Raise awareness of ECS benefits To Policymakers To Caregivers Through community partnerships

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Summary

We cannot ignore the physical stresses placed on CGs who provide daily assistance to their CRs. ECS can help care for the CG by making caregiving activities less stressful, more convenient, and easier.

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Contact Information

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification

University of Southern California Andrus Gerontology Center

Los Angeles, California 90089-0191

www.homemods.org

sabata@usc.edu

(213) 740-1364