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The Power of Partnership Synergy of collaboration increases reach and visibility in target service area “No Wrong Door” approach makes it easy for clients to access multiple services Reduction in services fragmentation  One call does it all Enables all partners to serve more clients  Working together, our capacity to serve caregivers in need is increased

Critical considerations & lessons learned about forming a collaborative partnership The wheel needs a hub  PIC’s Family Care Manager facilitates seamless service delivery among partner agencies Involve multiple levels of partner agency staff (i.e. management, line staff) in program planning and service delivery from the start  Create the partnership collaboratively (protocols, procedures, goals, etc.)  Brainstorm solutions together  Share information – communicate openly and frequently  Consider having a formalized Committee structure

How have clients benefitted from this multi- component, collaborative partnership? Clients quickly become aware of available services/resources in their community they didn’t know existed Choice brings high levels of client satisfaction – clients can choose what services they want when they need them No “one size fits all” mentality – care plans are flexible and responsive to client need

Service ratings by clients – any surprises? Based on a scale from 1 (far below my expectations) to 5 (far above my expectations) Minor Home Modifications (4.2) Family Consultation and Care Planning (4.0) Ongoing Case Management (4.0) Respite (4.0) Support Groups (3.9) Counseling (3.8) Community Education and Caregiver Training (3.7) Alzheimer’s & Dementia-specific consultation (3.7) Legal Consultation (3.5) Intergenerational Computer Lab (3.4)

Services Rendered ServiceUnits Rendered (as of January 31, 2012) Assessment/Care Planning240 clients Case Management2,278 hours Caregiver Training2,070 contacts Community Education180 events Alzheimer’s Care Consultation482 contacts Counseling762 contacts Home Modifications413 home mods. Legal Services78 clients Spanish Support Group160 hours English Support Group242 hours Respite8,586 hours Intergenerational Computer Lab39 clients

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Caregivers Champion Topic Experts Learning Circle

Caregivers rarely self-identify as “caregivers”. Lessons Learned

Caregivers pay attention to program endorsements from people they know and trust. Good Advice

Take Note Caregiver stress does not fall into affinity groups.

99% Northwestern University Buehler Center on Aging: Data Analysis

Scott French, Program Manager Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) /

SAGECAP was designed to provide a safe, welcoming community that helps lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) caregivers navigate their current and future needs: as they provide care for a loved one, SAGECAP cares for them, and in turn helps them prepare for the time in life when they may need care. SAGECAP also promotes LGBT caregiving issues through education and outreach both locally and nationally through ad campaigns, presentations and partnerships with aging service providers to increase the ability of the aging services and LGBT services network to meet the needs of the growing numbers of caregivers.

CARINGPREPARING One-on-one CounselingLegal Clinics Group CounselingAdvanced Directive Assistance Support GroupsFinancial Management Ref. Case ManagementLong-term Care Planning Care Plan DevelopmentEducational Seminars Workshops/SeminarsPublications On-line Resources

To Date SAGECAP has:  Provided 177 caregiver support groups  407 individual counseling sessions  Served 50 caregivers in the full intervention (case management/therapeutic supports)  Served over 70 caregivers through case management  Reached over 300 individuals through caregiver trainings and workshops National Impact:  Over 20,000 visits to the on-line LGBT Caregiver Resource Center  Over 1,000 professionals have attended SAGECAP workshops/seminars/presentations at national and local conferences  Over 1,600 downloads of the LGBT Caregiver Guide in partnership with the United Hospital Funds Next Steps in Care Program

 One Size Does Not Fit All ◦ Flexibility & adaptability ◦ Utilizing a menu of options approach engages more caregivers and allows staff more flexibility  Listen, Listen, Listen ◦ Incorporate consistent feedback mechanisms ◦ Be on alert for growing trends/needs  Give Caregivers Time ◦ Allow caregivers the space to prioritize their needs when accessing services ◦ Maintain contact with caregivers who initially reject services ◦ Focus on building relationships of trust

 Original Model ◦ Emphasized counseling supports (individual and support groups) ◦ Prescriptive in frequency of contact and nature of interaction ◦ Less emphasis on informational resources and concrete case management needs ◦ Caring and Preparing aspects were approached as unique separate pieces  Challenges Encountered ◦ Caregivers resistant to self-identification ◦ Men resistant to more therapeutic supports (SAGECAP gender breakdown = Male 54% / Female 46%) ◦ Caregivers presenting in extreme crisis ◦ Caregivers lacked the time available to commit to one-on-one counseling / support groups for 3 month period ◦ Caregivers in crisis often expressed concern about their own aging futures