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March 13, 2006

State Gets Grant to Help Alzheimer's Caregivers

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has received a $290,000 federal grant to help care for the caregivers of people with Alzheimer's and other cognitive diseases.

The grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging will specifically be used to help rural caregivers who:

  • Are caring for someone at least 60 years old;
  • Are grandparents 60 or older who are raising grandchildren; or
  • Are parents 60 or older caring for a disabled child living with them.

The department has contracted with four demonstration programs across the state to provide the caregiver services: the Developmental Educational Assistance Program in Miles City , the Belmont Senior Citizens Center in Butte , Missoula Aging Services, and the Area VI Agency on Aging in Polson. The programs will provide caregiver respite services in 16 counties and on most of the Flathead Reservation.

The programs will have the flexibility to work with community partners to develop respite services, to build upon existing services, and to coordinate with other programs to provide services, according to Traci Clark, project coordinator with the DPHHS Senior and Long Term Care Division. The programs will explore how services can be more consumer-directed and how costs may be shared to ensure sustainability of services.

The grant also creates an opportunity for the department to partner with the Montana chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and the MSU Extension Services to increase education about Alzheimer's disease and to increase caregiver awareness about the need for and availability of respite services. There will also be many opportunities to train both caregivers and service providers.

"Caregiving is an enormous role," Clark said. "It can take a toll on a person's physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being. Caregivers need to balance their own needs with the needs of the person they're caring for.

"This Alzheimer's grant gives Montana the opportunity to provide services that give caregivers a chance to take care of themselves," she added. "And taking care of yourself is essential if you're going to provide the best care possible to another person."

or more information about the grant, contact Clark at trclark@mt.gov or 444-6995.

Page last updated: 06/13/2006