We support unpaid family caregivers in Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties as they assist adults living with aging, brain change or disability.
Preventing falls is a key part of maintaining independence for older adults. With this goal in mind, we will bring together a number of community resources through the Lewis Mason Thurston Falls Prevention Coalition (LMTFPC). We also subcontract for specific falls prevention programs and refer out to various community partners.
LMTAAA provides Medicaid Case Management for older adults and adults with disabilities who need some support in order to remain in their own homes and also meet financial and other eligibility requirements. As the client, you can choose an agency care provider or an independent paid provider.
This process begins at the Home and Community Services division of the Department of Social and Health Services. Our Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) specialists can provide more information about this service and how to connect with the HCS office in your area. Simply call our main line for help.
In-home personal care options can include programs ranging from Medicaid Long-Term Care and Medicaid Alternative Care (MAC) to Tailored Supports for Older Adults (TSOA) and paid providers. Scroll down this page to see additional options.
If you want an independent provider, click the link below to connect with Consumer Direct Care Network Washington or call our main line and ask to speak to one of our Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) specialists for more information.
Services are available for grandparents or other relatives raising children, such as information and assistance, support groups, educational events, and emergency assistance.
Do you or someone you know live in a long-term care facility? The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program champions the interests, well-being, and rights of people who live in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted-living facilities.
Volunteer certified Ombudsmen are here to educate you. They also inform staff members, families, and the community about resident rights.
Volunteers are also available to provide resources and advocate for quality-of-life issues in long-term care facilities.
If your family member values their independence, they are not alone. We are focused on providing options designed to allow adults with disabilities or aging-related challenges to stay in their homes as long as possible. If they cannot be cared for in their home, there are other options available. We can provide resources and information about assisted-living facilities, adult-family homes, and skilled nursing facilities in a way that puts your family member's needs front and center.
Getting good meals or perhaps sharing a meal with others can be tough on a fixed income. Thankfully, LMTAAA subcontracts with several senior nutrition services including group meals at senior centers, home-delivered meals, and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
(Note: While we do not directly coordinate food bank assistance, we do refer people to food banks, if needed.)
Do you or a family member you are caring for have questions about Medicare or Medicaid? You are not alone. Here are the basics.
Medicare provides health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older and younger people with some disability. It has several programs designed to help participants cover the cost of hospitalizations, preventative medicine, ambulance services, medical second opinions, and medications.
Medicaid is both a federal and state program. It helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. Medicaid also offers benefits not normally covered by Medicare, including nursing home care and personal care services. There are income and medical criteria to receive benefits.
Medicaid is the largest source of funding for medical and health services in the U.S. Washington State consistently ranks as a top performer in Medicaid long-term care services.
MAC and TSOA are programs funded under the Medicaid Transformation Project Demonstration and provide services to support unpaid caregivers and individuals in Washington State.
These programs offer a small benefit for in-home services based on care needs and preferences.
The MAC and TSOA programs provide no-cost services to unpaid family caregivers taking care of someone 55 years or older living with dementia, memory loss, or chronic health conditions.
If you are 55 years or older and do not have an unpaid caregiver, TSOA can also provide services at no cost.
Services may include, but are not limited to:
Call us at (360) 664-2168 (ext. 102) or send us an email at lmtfcspintake@dshs.wa.gov to learn more.
*Additional qualifications may be needed. Not subject to estate recovery.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers gives you the skills to take care of yourself while caring for someone else. By taking care of your own health and well-being, you become a better caregiver.
Six-class sessions held once a week via Zoom and led by experienced class leaders. What you will learn:
· Self-care tools to reduce personal stress
· How to change your self-talk
· Communication tools to express your needs to family and professionals
· How to communicate effectively in challenging situations
· Working with emotions and difficult feelings
· Strategies for making tough caregiving decisions
Participants are given The Caregiver Helpbook to accompany the class and provide additional caregiving resources.
LMTAAA provides funding to local providers for transportation services for adults with disabilities and seniors 60+ to important activities to help you maintain quality of life. Examples of included activities are:
We also refer to other transportation services throughout the three counties.
The STAR-C program was designed by the University of Washington to help family caregivers who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
Several weekly individual sessions with a coach help the caregiver to decrease problem behaviors in the person living with dementia and to address their own responses.
One of our STAR-C coaches says, “We will work together as a team using tools that have been shown to reduce difficult behaviors in the person living with dementia and decrease stress in the person helping them. This involves breaking down behaviors and trying new strategies."
Powered by Trualta, the Washington Family Caregiver Learning Portal is free to all unpaid family caregivers and can be used with internet access and a laptop, tablet or smart phone.
Designed for families, support includes:
• Articles
• Videos
• Tip sheets
• Webinars
• Online chat rooms and support groups
It can help family caregivers to:
• Reduce stress
• Find local resources
• Provide more informed care
