Next Steps
Since its inception in the fall of 2007, the Family Caregiver Council has created a shared vision of how best to support caregivers. In considering how to address the needs of caregivers and help them sustain their valuable role in the community, the Council has identified the following important areas that should be focused upon: education so that individuals providing care recognize themselves as caregivers; information and outreach to identified caregivers; and the availability of and access to supports and services. NYSOFA, with the assistance of other state agencies, will continue to support the Council’s efforts and the valuable contributions that they have made to date. The ongoing work will include:
- Regularly Scheduled Meetings – The Council will continue to meet periodically in person or
by conference call.
- Town Hall Meetings – The Council will continue to sponsor NYSOFA’s Town Hall Meetings to
hear directly from informal and formal caregivers across the State.
- Data Review – The Council will continue to analyze data to identify effective ways to assist caregivers to continue to care for those they love. This will include reviewing the data from
the caregiver questions contained in the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Questionnaire administered by the New York State Department of Health, further analysis of data
from the surveys conducted in 2008, and additional information gathering and data review on
additional caregiver-related topics.
- Support Coalition Building – Caregiving is a multi-generational issue that affects people of all ages from all walks of life. Coalition building will enable information to be distributed to a wide and diverse group of individuals, agencies and organizations throughout the state about
caregiving issues. This information can be used to promote innovative programs and approaches
around better ways to support caregivers, promote public education and awareness, increase
knowledge about availability and accessibility of community resources, track federal and state
policy and legislation, and create communication strategies among providers.
- Media Campaign – The Council will promote completed products and discuss future efforts to
bring awareness of caregiver issues.
- Continue to Develop Recommendations and Plan Action Steps – The Council will continue to
develop recommendations and plan action steps to support and strengthen caregivers across the
lifespan in New York State.
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