News
Spotlight on Innovations: Loudoun County AAA
- By: USAging
- On: 01/10/2019 18:21:42
- In: Policy & Advocacy
We're highlighting the cutting-edge programs and successful strategies used by the 2018 recipients of n4a's Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards in this weekly spotlight feature. This week we're focusing on Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging's Caring for the Caregiver Program, winner in the Caregiving category.
The Loudoun County AAA's Caring for the Caregiver Program is a holistic, high-impact, multifaceted, person-centered approach to improving caregivers' emotional, physical and social well-being through sessions that caregivers and their loved ones attend together. Through education, support groups, disease self-management programs and a companionship-promoting book club, caregiver attendance has increased by 336 percent.
In 2014, the Loudoun County AAA established the Caring for the Caregiver program on its own due to the lack of caregiver programs that were easily accessible to caregivers in the area. By creating and implementing social, supportive and educational opportunities for caregivers, isolation issues have decreased while opportunities to interact with other caregivers have increased. Agencies wishing to replicate or implement the program are welcome to contact the Loudoun County AAA.
The program has served more than 1,300 caregivers and has held 64 caregiver sessions since launching in 2014. Eighteen people now regularly attend the support group. Survey results indicate high satisfaction levels. To meet increasing demand, the Loudoun County AAA has added a second weekend support group to meet this need with 22-25 people attending each month.
To learn more about this year's winners, read our press release and check out our book of winners to learn how your agency can implement this or similar programs in your community!