CAREGIVER TRAINING AND SUPPORT GROUPS

Caregiver Training provides information and skills development for those providing support services for the frail elderly, chronically ill or disabled of any age.  The purpose of support groups is to minimize the frustration and isolation experienced by caregivers while attempting to address the diverse concerns and issues confronting them.

CASE MANAGEMENT

“Case Management” has many meanings, depending on the source of the service.  Traditionally, all styles of case management incorporate a certain sequence of events. The case manager (or case management team) develops an individualized plan of care to help the client reach their goals.

Case management may be a service funded through an organization, or if provided by a  private case manager, a fee may be charged.  Services may be brief, to accomplish a short-term goal, or ongoing, as in management of a home care plan.

ELDER ABUSE

Elder abuse can take many forms:

“Physical abuse” means the non-accidental use of force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment, including–but not limited to–being slapped, burned, cut, bruised, or improperly physically restrained.

“Sexual abuse” means non-consensual sexual contact of any kind, such as forced sexual contact.

“Emotional abuse” means willful infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, intimidation, or other abusive conduct, such as frightening or isolating an adult.

“Active neglect” means willful failure by the caregiver to fulfill the care-taking functions and responsibilities assumed by the caregiver, such as abandonment, or willful deprivation of food, water, heat, clean clothing, and bedding, or health related services.

“Self neglect” means an adult’s inability, due to physical and/or mental impairments, to perform tasks essential to caring for oneself, such as: providing essential food, clothing, shelter, and medical care; obtaining goods and services necessary to maintain physical health, mental health, emotional well-being, and general safety; managing financial affairs.

“Financial exploitation” means improper use of an adult’s funds, property, or resources by another individual, such as fraud, embezzlement, conspiracy, forgery, falsifying records, coerced property transfers for denial of access to assets.

PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR ADULTS (PSA)

Protective Services for Adults (PSA), sometimes called Adult Protective Services or APS is provided through the Department of Social Services to individuals 18 years of age or older living in the community. These services assist people who are either mentally or physically impaired, have no one willing and able to help, and cannot provide for their basic needs for food, shelter, clothing, or medical care. The services also help to protect these people from physical or mental injury, neglect, maltreatment, or financial exploitation.

This service is offered to county residents without regard to income.

PSA referrals can be made to the Dutchess County Department of Social Services Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm by calling (845) 486- 3300.