Project C.A.R.E. - Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty

caregiver alzhwrods exhausted woman

Lumber River Council of Governments implemented Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternatives for Running on Empty) in 2009. This program is designed for caregivers of individuals who have memory impaired disorders, such as, Alzheimer’s or other related dementia. Project C.A.R.E. is a state and federally funded program that began in the Western part of the state and in 2008 expanded into Region N through a grant from the Administration on Aging. Project C.A.R.E. assists caregivers in Robeson, Bladen , Hoke, Columbus, Scotland, and Cumberland Counties. Expansion is planned for Sampson and Richmond Counties in the near future.

The Caregiver Support Interventionist works closely with each caregiver to provide a plan of care that is specific to their needs. This plan provides the caregiver not only with needed respite care, but also personal counseling through home visits, assessments and regular telephone contacts. Caregivers are provided with continuing education and information on caregiving concerns and disease specific education. Project C.A.R.E. has a goal to decrease caregiver “burnout” through advocacy, education, respite services and one-on-one counseling.

If you are a caretaker of a patient with Alzheimer's disease, before you BURNOUT, read below about Project C.A.R.E. and see if we can help.

What is Alzheimer's Disease and what is Dementia?

From the Alzheimer's Organization website:

The basics

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 70 percent of dementia cases.
Learn more: What We Know Today and Related Dementias.

Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65and older. But Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early-onset Alzheimer's (also known as younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.
Learn more: Risk Factors
Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from three to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.
Learn more: 10 Warning Signs and Stages of Alzheimer's Disease.
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Although current Alzheimer treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.
Learn more: Standard Treatments, Treatment Horizon, Prevention and Clinical Trials.

Who is eligible for Project C.A.R.E. services?

In order to be eligible for the program:

Have confirmation of Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia (memory loss and confusion) by caregiver, physician or healthcare provider.

The residence of the person with dementia must be in Bladen, Columbus, Hoke or Robeson County.

Caregivers receiving services through the Medicaid Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) are eligible for all the benefits of Project C.A.R.E., excluding additional respite funding. Caregivers may receive respite funds through Project C.A.R.E. while on the waiting list for CAP/DA services.

Caregivers can be receiving services through the Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) or the State Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) if funding is for a different type of service or collaboration between programs is evident.

There are no age restrictions for the person with dementia or the caregiver.

While there are no specific income limitations, priority is given to low-income, rural and minority families.

What are the services than can be provided?

Services Provided:

Respite Care: Through Project C.A.R.E., caregivers may spend up to $2500 per year toward respite services. Families are able to choose among a full continuum of consumer-directed care options, including adult day services, group respite, private or agency in-home care and overnight residential respite.

Family Consultation: Project C.A.R.E. employs Family Consultants with expertise in Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. The Family Consultants visit the homes of referred or self-referred dementia caregivers in crises and offer timely, individualized assessment, guidance, counseling, support, advocacy, coaching and education. Their aim is to match families with the most appropriate and preferred local respite and community services tailored to their unique situation and needs.

REACH II: Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health ("REACH II") is an evidence-based Alzheimer's intervention offered to "high risk" families (i.e., little to no social support, high levels of depression and stress, poor physical health). The REACH II intervention provides one-on-one training and skill-building through 12 intensive sessions over 6 months. The key components of REACH II include: 1) risk assessment; 2) education on Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia; 3) problem-solving; 4) safety; 5) physical and emotional well-being; and 6) social support.

Who do I contact if I am need help?

Please get in touch with Halona Locklear, the Staff Contact.

What other resources are available to help me learn about Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and how to care for an ailing family member?

Resources from the DUKE Family Support Program website: