Newswise — The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) joined a panel yesterday of the aging industry's top experts to unveil a new online initiative aimed at educating caregivers of seniors and people with disabilities.
NAPGCM was asked by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to partner in the organization's new "Ask Medicare" Web site (http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers) program " which features insight from caregiving professionals as well as representatives of the healthcare industry. The consumer friendly Internet resource, which was detailed at an announcement event for some of its stakeholders Thursday, provides Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers with a wealth of tools and materials designed to help them make informed healthcare decisions. In addition to NAPGCM, other partner organizations invited to attend the CMS "Ask Medicare" launch include the AARP, Alzheimer's Association and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
"This truly is a one-stop site that will help lighten the burden on caregivers," said NAPGCM Past President Linda Aufderhaar, a licensed clinical social worker in attendance at the "Ask Medicare" announcement. "It was inspiring to see so many organizations come together at the launch, all united by a mission to help protect our nation's most vulnerable citizens. This Web site will help put caregivers in touch with the experts and organizations that can help them address a myriad of challenges and concerns."
Medicare is a national health insurance program ($331 billion in 2006) for people age 65 or older, in addition to individuals with certain disabilities regardless of age. Enrollment in the program is expected to reach 77 million by 2031, when the Baby Boomer generation is fully retired.
In the meantime, many Baby Boomers today are a "sandwich generation," wedged between the cost of caring for their children and their aging parents. There are nearly 45 million Americans " or one in five adults " who provide unpaid care to a loved one valued at a staggering $306 billion each year. That nearly doubles the amount spent on homecare and nursing home services combined ($158 billion).
CMS representatives hope "Ask Medicare" helps many of these people recognize their own role in the caregiver industry.
"Many caregivers don't even think of themselves as a caregiver in the traditional sense. All they know is that a friend or family member needs their help," said CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems. "In addition to raising awareness of Medicare benefits, we hope this site actually helps many of these caregivers self-identify. Their work is exhausting but essential " and often goes unrecognized."
Designed by and for caregivers, "Ask Medicare" seeks to shed light on the national insurance program by streamlining resources and bringing together several organizations that specialize in issues impacting the senior population and people with disabilities. The Web site " which links to a number of caregiver directories and advocacy organizations like NAPGCM " will feature a bi-monthly electronic newsletter filled with stories about caregivers and how they responded to industry challenges.
Medicare leaders also hope the site will clear up many misconceptions over what the federal healthcare program does and does not cover. According to a 2003 Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health poll, for example, 39 percent of individuals aged 18 and older erroneously believe that Medicare covers the cost of extended long term care, such as nursing home care and home care.
NAPGCM leaders say they are thrilled CMS chose them as a partner in the Web-based "Ask Medicare" program.
"Medicare is the cornerstone of healthcare security for seniors and people withdisabilities," said NAPGCM President Monika White, Ph.D. "We are pleased to support an effort that will help raise awareness of the programs and resources available to caregivers and Medicare beneficiaries."
ABOUT NAPGCMNAPGCM was formed in 1985 to advance dignified care for older adults and theirfamilies in the United States. The association currently boasts a membership of more than 2,100 care managers. Professional Geriatric Care Managers (PGCMs) are professionals who have extensive training and experience working with older people, people with disabilities and families who need assistance with caregiving issues. They assist families in the search for a suitable nursing home placement or extended care if the need occurs. The practice of geriatric care management and the role of care providers have captured a national spotlight, as generations of Baby Boomers age in the United States and abroad. Individuals looking for a Professional Geriatric Care Manager in their local area may visit http://www.caremanager.org and use the searchable directory located in the "Find a Care Manager" section.
RSS