Over the next three years, caregivers of persons with Alzheimers disease and related disorders (ADRD) stand to benefit from Community REACH II (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimers Caregiver Health), a new program offered by United HomeCare Services. This initiative will bring the evidence-based psycho-social intervention known as REACH II from the scientific arena to the community. Sara J. Czaja, Ph.D., Principal Investigator for REACH II in Miami is the Co-Director of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Center on Aging, a key partner in the design and roll-out of the program.
Community REACH II will help caregivers develop an understanding of Alzheimers disease and how to manage difficult behaviors. With support and coaching, caregivers will also learn about the importance of self-care, often neglected when an individual is intensely involved in caregiving. Research shows that caring for a person with ADRD has negative effects on caregivers, including a decline in emotional and physical well-being, social-isolation, depression, increased risk of death and financial hardship due to the high cost and increasing demands for care.
Community REACH II consists of structured face-to-face and phone-based sessions focused on achieving reduced caregiver distress and depression, as well as delaying nursing home placement of minority and low income persons with ADRD in Miami-Dade County. Caregivers will receive the benefit of up to 20 hours of in-home respite per month. The allotted hours will provide a home health aide to care for the person with ADRD, facilitating the caregivers participation in Community REACH II and allowing them to focus on their own self care. Persons with ADRD will receive a MedicAlert + Safe Return bracelet provided with the generous support of the Dade Community Foundation.
“We are very excited about being part of this project. Family caregivers are central to the health and well-being of our older adult population and represent a vital component of our health care system. It is critically important to provide them with support and implement programs that address their needs and concerns. Our hope is that Community REACH II will reduce the burden and distress experienced by many family caregivers whose loved one has Alzheimers disease and improve the quality of life for both the caregiver and care recipient,” said Dr. Czaja.
Community REACH II is funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging through the Alzheimers Disease Supportive Services Program. Florida is one of only ten participating states. United HomeCare Services is playing an unprecedented roll by being the first in-home care agency in the United States selected to rollout REACH II in the community. The delivery of the program through UHCS will set the foundation for an effective and sustainable community based-program that can be replicated nationally. Many stand to benefit as there are currently an estimated 5.2 million Americans of all ages with Alzheimers disease, 13% of whom are age 65 and over. Other collaborative partners in this renowned translational research project include the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the Alliance for Aging and Southeast Florida Alzheimers Association.
“As a direct provider of services for Community REACH II, United HomeCare Services is working closely with the University of Miami to deliver a dynamic program that will make a positive difference for caregivers and their loved ones who are affected by Alzheimers disease. Increasingly, more caregivers will need Community REACH II services as the population age 60 plus in Miami-Dade County is expected to more than double in the years ahead,” stated Jose R. Fox, President & CEO of United HomeCare Services. There are approximately 500,000 elders with Alzheimers disease and related dementias in Miami-Dade County, over 75% of them living at home with a caregiver burdened with the responsibility of their total care. Over 73% of caregivers are over age 65 and are providing the highest level of care to their loved ones.
Caregiver enrollment in Community REACH II is being promoted through a community referral network of physicians, The Wein Center for Alzheimers Disease and Memory Disorders at Mount Sinai Hospital, and the University of Miami Memory Disorder Clinic.
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