Is there feedback from other organizations that have implemented the NYUCI?

As mentioned above, the State of Minnesota has been a large-scale implementer of NYUCI through an Alzheimer's Disease Supportive Services Program (ADSSP) state grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging / Administration on Community Living. 
 
By August of 2009, 57 spouse caregivers were engaged in the intervention out of an original enrollment of 75 caregivers. 
 
  • The responses of the participating caregivers to a caregiver experience survey demonstrated that they were satisfied with the program and would recommend it to others.
  • Memory care consultants, similarly stated that they believed the program significantly enhanced services offered to caregivers, especially the family session component
 
This intervention is highly dependent on the consultant. The educational background, training, and experience of the person serving as the consultant will be determined in accordance with state and local norms and organizational standards, but other factors, such as communication style and ease, ability to work independently, comfort with family dynamics and facilitating groups and knowledge of local resources and providers also appear to be important. From this Minnesota experience, the organizational setting did not appear to be as important as having these qualities in the consultant. Since this intervention is so dependent on the trained consultant, selecting and training the “right” staff person for the job and providing the necessary ongoing support to the consultant is very important. There is a continued need for consultant training, peer-to-peer support, and education around the components of the intervention. 
 
In Minnesota the organizational site characteristics did not appear to impact/affect the actual service delivery. All of the sites had basic tools or resources at the disposal of the consultant, including office space, computer, telephone, and some administrative support (e.g., human resources/payroll accounting, database, supervisory). Some of the sites/memory care consultants conducted the caregiver assessments in the person’s home and others did them in their office, but this difference does not appear to affect the intervention results.
 

“I received this letter from a male caregiver I have been working with for several months. This is a second marriage and the letter is written to his wife’s children. The situation prior to the intervention was out of control (referral originally came from our sheriff). This letter represents the progress we have already made in just two months. Pulling in the family members, focusing on communication, gaining knowledge about AD/medication/diagnosis, planning ahead, utilizing resources and empowering the caregiver to ask for help are all valuable assets of this program.”

Minnesota Memory Care Consultant

Dear Family:

I join with you in the concern, caring and love for your Mother. We all want Mother to be able to live life to the fullest. We want her to be happy. We want her to be able to live the best life possible that she can.

With this in mind, I have made an appointment for Mother with the Elder Care Memory Assessment Clinic. They offer a team that consists of a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and a Social Worker, offering in-depth functional assessments and therapeutic recommendations for patient and family. This will help to give us education and knowledge about Mother’s condition. We will also continue to meet three more times with our consultant.

Mother’s care is a family affair. I appreciate very much how you have all pitched in, offering yourselves and your time. This clinic appointment is one more way in which you can be involved.

I appreciate very much all of your concern and care and help. You are already doing so much for Mother, keeping in contact with her, stopping by to visit with her and taking her out. Mother just beams when you do this. Remember how she smiled and enjoyed herself at the wedding last weekend? How can we help her keep that kind of smile on her face? Also, I need to tell you that when you help Mother you are helping me. Thank you for the support. You are my family and I love you very dearly.

Dad

 

“I met with a caregiver today and when we completed assessment 3, she had increased from 10 family friends to 26. At the initial family meeting, one of the daughters suggested that mom make a list of people she could contact by phone or email that might give her a lift or be fun to chat with. When we discussed this later, she said that these really were not new people in their lives, but that listing them and talking to some of them brought it to a new level of understanding that they really were there for her. She might not even call on them for support or help, but just knowing they were there reduced her stress level. She said it felt like a big supportive safety net in her life.”

NYUCI Memory Care Consultant

 

“This new approach to caregiver support is already showing value and positive outcomes during the first two quarters of the intervention. Caregivers report increased satisfaction with family communication and increased family involvement within the household. In addition, they are utilizing respite care programs, adding home delivered meals, attending support groups and making home safety a priority for themselves and their spouse with Alzheimer’s disease.”

NYUCI Memory Care Consultant

Reference: A Guide to Implementing the New York University Caregiver Intervention and The Minnesota Experience, Mary Mittelman, DrPH, Cynthia Epstein, LCSW, Deborah Paone, MHSA, Donna Walberg, MBA, Alzheimer’s Disease Support Services Program | November 2010.

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