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North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services

   

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    Project C.A.R.E. ("Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty") uses a family consultant model to provide consumer-directed respite care and comprehensive support to caregivers. The goal of the program is to increase quality, access, choice, and use of respite and support services for low-income rural and minority families caring for a person with dementia at home. Through the integration of dementia-capable services and the development of family-centered and caregiver-focused community care networks, Project C.A.R.E. helps create a seamless, coordinated delivery system that is responsive to the needs, values and preferences of Alzheimer’s families.

    Project C.A.R.E. is administered through the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) with expert consultation and technical assistance provided by the Duke Aging Center Family Support Program. Project C.A.R.E. is implemented at the local level through Family Consultants. The program is currently based within the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, three local Area Agencies on Aging (Region G, Region Q and Region N) and Park Ridge Health. The Project C.A.R.E. staff at Park Ridge (based in Hendersonville) serves as the program's statewide training and technical assistance resource.

    Project C.A.R.E. employs Family Consultants with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. The 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. Through Project C.A.R.E., caregivers may spend up to $1800 per year (reduced from $2500 in previous years) 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.

    There are currently five program sites set up to serve the following 40 counties: 1) Charlotte (Mecklenburg County); 2)Winston-Salem (Forsyth, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin); 3) Hendersonville (Avery, Buncombe, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey); 4) Pembroke (Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, and Scotland); 5) Washington (Beaufort, Bertie, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Northampton, Pitt and Washington).

    National Program Recognition:

    • 2008 National Program Champion – U.S. Administration on Aging


    • 2005 National Best Practice Model for “Implementing Systems and Sustained Change in Long-Term Care” – U.S. Administration on Aging and RTI International


    • 2005 National Innovative Program Clearinghouse Award – National Alzheimer’s Association


    • 2005 National Model for Home and Community-Based Care Coordination – featured by the National Alzheimer’s Association at the Conference of State Legislators


    • 2004 Geriatric Best Practice Award for “Developing Quality Caregiver Support and Respite Programs” – Southeast Regional Geriatric Best Practices Initiative

    Project C.A.R.E. is primarily funded through State funds with supplemental funding provided by the federal Administration on Aging’s Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Services Program. Project C.A.R.E. staff and partners are currently exploring options to expand Project C.A.R.E. into additional counties with the ultimate goal of statewide implementation. Additional funding is needed to support expansion efforts.

    If you are interested in learning more about Project C.A.R.E. and/or providing support to expand this program, please contact Mark Hensley, State Project C.A.R.E. Director.

    Project C.A.R.E. Publications:

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    Last updated March 5, 2012

 

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