The Mount Sinai Hospital's Caregivers and Professionals Partnership (CAPP) is a multi-faceted, interdisciplinary program to strengthen and sustain institutional responsiveness to the role and needs of family caregivers of adults within a large urban health care setting. In 1998, during the United Hospital Fund (UHF) Family Caregiver Initiative planning phase, Mount Sinai conducted focus groups with family caregivers and health care professionals and a telephone survey of caregivers to assess caregivers' needs. The following major needs were identified: centralized information and support services; coordinated programs to advocate for caregivers; culturally-sensitive, bilingual services for Spanish-speaking caregivers; and education for health care providers. In response to these needs and with major funding from the UHF Family Caregiving Initiative, in 1999, Mount Sinai established The Caregivers and Professionals Partnership (CAPP). CAPP's target populations are 1) caregivers connected with Mount Sinai and its affiliates through the care of their adult family member, their own care, their residence in the local community, or their employment; and 2) Mount Sinai physicians, other professionals, and support staff. CAPP includes three major programmatic components: 1) The CAPP Caregiver Resource Center which provides centralized, accessible information and support to caregivers of adult patients through telephone assistance, a resource library, and website; 2) A Performance Improvement initiative to increase institutional responsiveness to caregiver issues; and 3) Educational Initiatives for both hospital staff and family caregivers to promote sensitivity and training to improve hospital-wide practice with family caregivers. The role of family caregivers in the development and implementation of this model will be highlighted.
Learning Objectives: 1) Understand the psychoeducational support needs of informal caregivers 2) Comprehend hospital-based approach to caregiver support 3) Appreciate the utility of informal and formal caregiving partnerships
Keywords: Caregivers, Social Services
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employed by Mount Sinai Hospital. Will be discussing a caregiver support program offered at the hospital.