Small Town News

Minnesota wins prestigious caregiving award

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Minnesota's Family Memory Care Initiative, the first translation of the groundbreaking New York University Caregiver Intervention funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging Alzheimer's Disease Support Services Program, has been awarded the Rosalyn Carter Leadership in Caregiving Award. This award was presented by the Rosalyn Carter Institute to Cal Ludeman, Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner, at the Alzheimer's Association's Annual Conference, "A Meeting of the Minds" Saturday, March 28, at the St. Paul River Centre. (This award was presented to Minnesota's Project Director Donna Walberg, Kristine Dwyer, Carlton County Caregiver Coach, Dr. Mary Mittelman, the original researcher, and Cynthia Epstein, New York University, at an awards ceremony in Americus Georgia by former first lady Rosalynn Carter.)

This prestigious national award is presented annually by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving.

The Minnesota Board on Aging, Minnesota Area Agencies on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association Minnesota/North Dakota Chapter are partnering with Dr. Mary Mittelman from New York University's Silberstein Aging & Dementia Research Center to translate this evidence-based Alzheimer's disease spousal caregiver initiative in Minnesota.

According to Dr. Mittelman, "We know that this intervention has been demonstrated to lessen caregiver depression and burden, as well as delay nursing home placement of individuals with dementia an average of 18 months." Mittelman adds, "It's gratifying to see this intervention helping caregivers on such a large scale in Minnesota."

More than 250 spousal caregivers and their families are invited to participate in this initiative which includes spouse and family meetings (6 over 4 months), the ongoing availability of telephone support and Alzheimer's support group participation.

Participating Sites Include:

Alzheimer's Association in the Twin Cities Metro area,

Memory Disorders Clinic in Central Minnesota,

Waseca Medical Clinic/Mayo Health System,

Carlton County Public Health,

Community Partners-Living at Home/Block Nurse Program in Lake County,

Mower County Advocate/Caregiver Support Program,

Mankato Clinic and Mankato Area Living at Home/Block Nurse Program,

Immanuel Saint Joseph's/Mayo Health System and

Rural Stearns Faith-In-Action

If you are a professional care provider, a spouse or a family member of someone with Alzheimer's disease and are interested in learning more about this family program that includes individual and family meetings as well as ongoing support, call the Senior Linkage Line(r) (800) 333-2433 to be connected to a care coach near you.



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© 2009 Tri-County News Kimball, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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