Allsup promotes National Family Caregivers Month in November with free posters, caregiver brochures
Belleville, Ill. – Nov. 3, 2011 –More than 65 million parents, sons, daughters, spouses and others are family caregivers in the United States, but many of them remain anonymous, according to National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA). November is National Family Caregivers (NFC) Month and this year’s theme is “Identifying Family Caregivers.” Allsup, a nationwide Social Security Disability insurance (SSDI) representation company, is pleased to be an NFCA founding sponsor, and is offering free NFC Month posters and caregiver brochures to recognize America’s family caregivers.
According to NFCA, a key strategy to help identify family caregivers is to include questions about whether someone is, or has, a family caregiver on medical intake forms. “Without such information, the role of a family caregiver in the health and well-being of a person with a chronic condition is essentially negated,” said NFCA president and CEO Suzanne Mintz. “In some situations, it may be obvious that someone is or has a family caregiver, but if it isn’t in the record, it may not be taken into account when developing a care plan for both parties.” Mintz added that capturing caregiving information on official medical records can help ensure that caregivers’ roles, as well as their own health, receive more attention.
In an effort to better identify and understand caregivers with high burdens, NFCA and Allsup surveyed more than 1,500 NFCA members. The NFCA/Allsup Family Caregiver Survey provides insights on family caregivers’ needs, interests and concerns.
Among survey findings:
- Nearly one-half (45 percent) have household incomes less than $40,000.
- More than one-third (36 percent) care for a spouse or partner, and 42 percent care for a parent.
- Nearly one in 10 (9 percent) of responding caregivers and about a quarter (27 percent) of their care recipients receive some type of disability insurance, with Social Security Disability Insurance being the primary type for both groups.
- Nearly half (47 percent) of the responding caregivers were interested in getting help with Social Security disability claims.
- Nearly two-thirds (60 percent) were interested in getting help with Medicare plan selection.
In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, Allsup is offering informational brochures on SSDI and Medicare, as well as a free gift to family caregivers during November. Anyone can access and order the brochures.
Caregivers [and patients] interested in learning if they or their care recipients may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance, or who would like a free Medicare needs screening, may go to Allsup.
Free NFC Month posters are available for download or ordering at , and clicking on “Request Materials.”
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ABOUT NFCA
National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 65 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness, disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships and life stages to help transform family caregivers’ lives by removing barriers to health and well-being. For more information visit www.thefamilycaregiver.org.
ABOUT ALLSUP
Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, Medicare and Medicare Secondary Payer compliance services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Founded in 1984, Allsup employs nearly 800 professionals who deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. The company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis. For more information and a Free Consultation visit Allsup.com. Be sure to mention you heard about them from IDA.
The information provided is not intended as a substitute for legal or other professional services. Legal or other expert assistance should be sought before making any decision that may affect your situation.
Above Allsup Press Release published with permission.
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