Georgia Care Consultation

Care Consultation was developed in several local and national research projects conducted by the Margaret Blenkner Research Institute of the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging in collaboration with a number of partner organization, including several chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association in Cleveland, Ohio. In the fall of 2010 the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving was awarded a grant from the AOA to implement the program in three Area Agencies on Aging regions in Georgia. These regions are Atlanta Regional Commission, Legacy Link, and Heart of Georgia Altamaha.

Care Consultation is a telephonic program designed to serve persons with Alzheimer’s and related dementias as well as their caregivers. Clients will participate in telephone sessions with a Care Consultant over a period of 12 months at no charge.

The Key features of Care Consultation:
• Empowers clients to manage care and in decision making more effectively
• Assists clients in finding simple and practical solution that are not overwhelming or confusing
• Assists clients in locating services and understand insurances
• Facilitates effective communication with doctors and other health care providers
• The Care Consultants sustain a long-term relationship with their clients
• The program is both standardized and personalized
• The program focuses on preventing crises by helping clients prepare for change and plan for the future

Scientific research data collected in previous Care Consultation sites revealed a variety of benefits in using Care Consultation:
• Improved care
• Reduced hospital admissions
• Delayed nursing home placement
• Fewer emergency department visits
• Decreased symptoms of caregiver depression
• Reduced caregiver stress and burnout
• Reduced relationship strain
• Decreased embarrassment and Isolation
• Improved access to information

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving would like to invite caregivers and persons living with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia to contact Cindy Holloway at 229.931.2238 or cynthia.holloway@gsw.edu for more information on this valuable caregiver assistance program.