8 Domains of Livability Case Study, Caregiver Coaching Program AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities

Caring for the Caregivers

Sometimes the person who is providing care for an older loved one needs a bit of care too

The Livable Communities Caregiver Coaching Program Westchester County New York United States

Getty Images/Blend Images Middle Eastern doctor examining patient in office , an economically diverse and geographically vast northern suburb of New York City, is home to the award-winning , which provides professional training to volunteers who then mentor family caregivers. Once trained, the "caregiver coaches" play an "enhanced good neighbor role" by helping often-overwhelmed family caregivers understand their options and make informed decisions about caring for an older or disabled loved one in their own or their relative's home. The coaches become a stabilizing force and sounding board.

The Details

The nurses, social workers and geriatric care managers who teach the 12-hour caregiver coaching curriculum are volunteers, as are the coaches they train. Although having caregiving experience is a plus, anyone can volunteer to become a caregiver coach. In addition to attending the training, coaches are required to make a one-year commitment to the program and participate in a monthly meeting. How much time each coach devotes to a family caregiver varies. The program, which launched in 2010, is based on a curriculum developed by , Fordham University's Ravazzin Center on Aging and representatives from aging agencies. The training usually takes place once a week for three weeks.

The Eight Domains

Westchester's Caregiver Coaching Program is an example of work being done in: As well as in:
Caregiver coaches are taught about the aging process, the challenges caregivers face, potential scenarios they might encounter as coaches, common solutions and specific coaching techniques, such as how to convey factual information clearly. The coaches are also provided with a resource-filled guide full of information about topics such as making a home safe and the need for caregivers to take care of themselves. Several program rules help to protect both the coach and the caregiver. For instance: The family caregiver and the caregiver coach can never meet in person. The coach and caregiver may communicate only by telephone. The caregiver coach should never go into the family caregiver's home or meet the care recipient.

The Costs

The program received a start-up grant from the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services. With the curriculum up and running the program is then carried out by volunteers, which helps to control costs and make the program sustainable.

The Results

Westchester's caregiver coaching program offers a vital service to family caregivers throughout the county. As a phone-based program, it can be readily replicated in other communities and is especially useful for rural areas or regions where getting around is a challenge. As many as 65 coaches are trained each year. "We can't count how many people have benefited from this program, because once the coaches are trained, they are forever sharing that information," says Colette Phipps, research analyst at the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services. The program's awards include those from the and the . The caregiver coaches have given extremely positive feedback about the program and training.

Related Resources br

Published August 2015

Stay Informed — For Free

The weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities e-Newsletter provides local leaders with information and inspiration for making their town, city or neighborhood more livable for older adults and people of all ages.

Featured Video

Learn how to check the "livability score" of any address in the U.S.

AARP org Livable

Enter a topic, name, place, etc. See past issues:

Our Free Publications

See the complete list at

Follow Us

Facebook: Twitter:

Contact Us

Email AARP Livable Communities at .

Ask about the AARP Livability Index by completing this .

AARP Members: For questions about your benefits, AARP The Magazine or the AARP Bulletin, visit the page or call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277). Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.