The Alzheimer's Digest: Aging and Disability Resource Centers

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Aging and Disability Resource Centers

Caregivers of Veterans sometimes feel overwhelmed as they look for services and supports from the community to help care for a loved-one. Often, this search involves many phone calls, office visits, and web searches that produce confusing and sometimes conflicting information. Fortunately, there is a community organization that can help simplify this process—Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs). ADRCs, a collaborative effort of the U.S. Administration on Community Living and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, are single points of entry for people looking for long-term supports and services for older adults, people with disabilities, and their Caregivers. ADRCs can reduce consumers’ and their families’ frustrations because with a single contact with the ADRC, a Caregiver can receive accurate information and be connected to many different long term services and supports.

As of October 2013, 514 ADRCs operate in 52 states and territories. Many of these reside within local Area Agencies on Aging or Centers for Independent Living. ADRC staff are experts in public and private programs within their communities. They provide objective information, advice, counseling, and assistance to empower people to make informed decisions about their long-term services and support. Many agencies also assist with enrollment and eligibility, nursing home diversions, and transitions from hospitals and nursing homes.

Caregivers of Veterans may not be aware of services available through VA, so they instead seek help from ADRCs and other community programs before approaching VA. In these situations, ADRCs serve as a gateway into VA for many Veterans and their Caregivers. Many ADRC staff have attended trainings on Veteran Benefits to expand their very limited knowledge of VA programs. This has greatly increased the information and options they can provide Veterans and Caregivers living within their community. For example, one ADRC site helped a homeless Veteran connect with the local VA medical center prior to his discharge from a nursing home. The VA helped the Veteran transfer directly to a contract nursing home, thus avoiding a period of homelessness.

ADRCs can be an invaluable resource to Caregivers by providing connections to community resources. Working with your local ADRCs will widen the services and support available for Caregivers of Veterans. You can find your local ADRC through the following link: http://www.adrc-tae.acl.gov/