LMTAAA offers classes for unpaid family caregivers throughout the year. Call 360-664-2168 ext. 102 and ask to subscribe to our newsletter to learn when new classes are held.
Here are some examples of the classes we offer:
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a virtual, six-week self-care education program for unpaid family caregivers. The goal is to provide caregivers with tools and strategies to better handle the unique challenges they face. The free program teaches how reduce stress, communicate effectively, and manage goals among other valuable skills.
Dementia Support Group is a virtual problem-solving and supportive group for caregivers of someone with brain change, memory loss or Dementia. We work as a group to solve caregiving challenges using each other's experiences and information in a safe, supportive environment.
STAR-C is an in-home consultation service to help caregivers understand and respond to behavioral challenges in a family member living with dementia. This program is ideal for caregivers who want to keep their loved one at home for as long as they can.
Public legal services include advice and representation in matters such as public entitlements (DSHS, Medicaid, etc.), housing, consumer rights, elder law and personal care/safety issues.
Legal help and advice for low-income older adults can be found at the Northwest Justice Project. To see if you qualify for their services, please visit nwjustice.org.
The Veteran Direct Care Program does allow for a family member to be a veteran's caregiver. Applications are submitted to and reviewed by the Veterans Administration (VA). If interested, discuss your eligibility with your VA social worker. Currently, there is a wait list for the program. Caregivers are hired through Consumer Direct Care Network of Washington (CDWA).
Veterans can also apply for Long-Term Care services through the State of Washington, but spouses cannot be paid through that option.
Medicaid in-home care, Medicaid Alternative Care (MAC) and Tailored Supports for Older Adults (TSOA) all have the option of allowing a family member or friend to become a paid caregiver.
Individual providers can offer care to any family members, but not a spouse unless under the Veteran Directed Care program.
To find out more:
Consumer Direct Care Network of Washington
Consumer Direct Care Network Washington (CDWA) is the Consumer Directed Employer (CDE) for Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). As the CDE, CDWA employs the thousands of dedicated Individual Providers (IP) who provide in-home personal care and respite services. Visit Consumer Direct Care Network of Washington for information.
Many caregivers recruit relatives, friends or members of their faith community to assist in caring for a family member. Care can also be paid for privately through a home care agency. Home care agencies provide different levels of care that may include house cleaning services, errands, bathing, and meal preparation.
A representative from the home care agency will often come to the home to assess the needs, formulate a plan, and match the best caregiver to help. There are often a minimum number of hours per visit which varies by agency.
There are different ways in which your family member's wishes can be respected including:
Advance Care Plan (ACP) is a health care directive which lets a person state what kind of medical treatments they do or do not wish to have if they are terminally ill or permanently unconscious. The ACP also lets the individual write down their health care values and other directives for medical providers. ACP forms are available through many institutions.
The Dementia Legal Planning Toolkit can help you make important financial and health care decisions and give you a place to write them down.
Hospice provides compassionate physical, emotional, and spiritual care to people nearing the end of their lives, including support for their family and friends.
Palliative Care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
A Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is a bright-green form from your Washington State care provider that, when completed, represents a summary of wishes a person has regarding end-of-life treatment. The POLST communicates wishes to emergency personnel and health care workers. The form must be signed by a physician, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant who assume responsibility for accuracy.
Talk to their doctor about your concerns. They may be able to write a letter to the Department of Licensing (DOL) requesting your family member no longer drive due to their health condition.
Submit a driver evaluation request form from the Department of Licensing. DOL will review the request and may ask your family member to retake the driving test. Visit dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/reportunsafe.html for more information.
Request a comprehensive driver evaluation from a certified evaluator, such as an occupational therapist.
Neurologists specialize in diseases of the brain and the nervous system. Psychiatrists specialize in disorders that affect the mood or the way the brain works. Psychologists have special training in testing memory and other mental functions. General Practitioners can also diagnose and care for individuals with cognitive disorders.
To diagnose dementia, a thorough medical history is reviewed. Also, mental status testing, physical and neurological exams, blood tests, and sometimes brain imaging is conducted to rule out other dementia-like symptoms. Ruling out other illnesses is important when trying to get to an accurate diagnosis.
The value of cognitive assessments and diagnosis of dementia is more widely appreciated, especially for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). MCI may or may not be associated with a dementia process, but early recognition of symptoms provides more treatment or palliative care options.
There are a variety of low-cost and no-cost food resources in our communities, ranging from congregate (group) meals to food banks and home-delivered meals.
From the months of June through October, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is available to qualifying older adults in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties. Find complete program and application details here.
Respite care is a service where someone comes to your home to care for your family member, allowing you to take a break to do things like visit with friends or go to your own medical appointments.
Respite care may be provided by a friend, family members, home care agencies or through the Family Caregiver Support Program. Often, respite is provided by a combination of all of the above, especially when the caregiver's burdens increase as the care receiver's needs increase.
Where available, in-home and out-of-home respite care options can be provided on an hourly and/or daily basis, including 24-hour care for several consecutive days.
In-Home:
Can be contracted with Home Care Agencies who employ Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) or Home Care Aides Certified (HCA).
Respite services may also be provided through an unpaid, network of family, friends and community members.
Out-of-Home:
Adult day services where available (socialization, nursing services, rehabilitation, classes and many other activities).
Short-term residential facility stays (nursing homes, assisted living, boarding homes and adult family homes).
Assisted Living Facilities are care facilities in a community setting staffed by trained personnel who provide for the well-being and safety of the residents. There are varying levels of assistance available, from meals and laundry to personal assistance. The facilities can help people with mental health issues, developmental disabilities, or Dementia. They generally have seven or more residents and are licensed by the state. More information is available at: https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/adsaapps/lookup/BHPubLookup.aspx
Adult Family Homes are homes in regular neighborhoods where a staff assumes responsibility for the safety and well-being of the adults in their care. Those who stay in adult family homes are provided with a room, laundry, supervision, and varying levels of assistance, as needed. Some nursing care can be provided. The homes are licensed by the state and generally have six or fewer residents. More information is available at: https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/adsaapps/lookup/AFHPubLookup.aspx
Skilled Nursing Facilities provide 24-hour supervised nursing care, personal care, rehabilitative therapy, nutrition management, organized group activities, social services, laundry, room and board. Skilled nursing facilities are licensed facilities which are certified and licensed by both federal and state agencies. More information is available at: fortress.wa.gov/dshs/adsaapps/lookup/NHPubLookup.aspx
Support in locating housing, discovering resources for home repairs, and finding assistance with utilities are available in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties.
For additional help, LMTAAA's Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) specialists are available at (360) 664-2168.
Travel training is a free service that provides self-paced instruction to help passengers who can use regular bus service become familiar with local public transportation options.
Expert travel trainers teach people to travel independently, safely and confidently.
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