HHS Announces $113M in Grants for Home-Based Care
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson last Friday approved $113 million in grants to states to provide "critical support" for families that care for the elderly at home under the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Created by Congress last November, the program consists of grants to states through a congressionally defined formula. States are to use the funding to support home- and community-based services for the elderly, as well as to help families "maintain" their caregiver roles. Thompson said, "We must do all we can to ensure that our older residents can remain home and receive care from loved ones for as long as possible. This money will allow states to develop systems of support to ease the burden on hundreds of thousands of family caregivers nationwide." Norman Thompson, acting principal deputy assistant secretary for aging, said, "States will work closely with their local area agencies on aging and other service providers in the community to put into place program services." He said the services included assistance for "training, counseling and support and respite opportunities." The program is administered through the Administration on Aging (HHS release, 2/15).
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