The Idaho Caregiver Alliance recently launched Family Caregiver Navigator, a new two-year pilot project that connects unpaid adult caregivers in southwest Idaho with resources to help support them as they care for family members or friends. Idaho Caregiver Alliance seeks to expand the project statewide in 2022. Navigators offer free support over the telephone and resource referral for unpaid or family caregivers.
Through Family Caregiver Navigator, caregivers receive an individualized action plan intended to prevent or delay the need for institutional care, maximize independence, and keep families together in their communities. Through the action plan, caregivers are referred to a range of services, including health care professionals, mental health professionals, counseling, and educational services to help caregivers better understand how to care for their loved one. The goal is to reduce caregiver stress by creating a plan tailored to support the caregiver’s health and wellness.
Family Caregiver Navigator was developed by Idaho Caregiver Alliance, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, and the Idaho Commission on Aging. The services are funded through Medicaid for qualifying participants. Idaho Caregiver Alliance also seeks to collect data on family caregivers throughout the southwest region of Idaho in order to influence state policies and spending for caregiver services.
The Idaho Caregiver Alliance is a coalition of individuals and organizations focused on expanding opportunities for caregiver respite across the state. The organization was established in 2012 with funding from the National Lifespan Respite grant to the Idaho Commission on Aging.
This was reported by Idaho Caregiver Alliance in October 2020.
Contact information: Family Caregiver Navigator, Idaho Caregiver Alliance, 208-426-5899; Email: info@caregivernavigator.org; Website: https://caregivernavigator.org/about-us/ and https://idahocaregiveralliance.com/
