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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

Service

Assessment/Care Planning Case Management Caregiver Training Community Education Alzheimer’s Care Consultation Counseling Home Modifications Legal Services Spanish Support Group English Support Group Respite Intergenerational Computer Lab

Units Rendered (as of January 31, 2012)

240 clients 2,278 hours 2,070 contacts 180 events 482 contacts 762 contacts 413 home mods.

78 clients 160 hours 242 hours 8,586 hours 39 clients

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Learning Circle Champion Caregivers Topic Experts

Lessons Learned

Caregivers rarely self-identify as “caregivers”.

Good Advice

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

Take Note

Caregiver stress does not fall into affinity groups.

Northwestern University Buehler Center on Aging: Data Analysis 99%

Scott French, Program Manager Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) www.sageusa.org

/ 212-741-2247 9949

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.

CARING One-on-one Counseling Group Counseling Support Groups Case Management Care Plan Development Workshops/Seminars Publications On-line Resources PREPARING Legal Clinics Advanced Directive Assistance Financial Management Ref.

Long-term Care Planning Educational Seminars Publications 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