AgeWell Middle Tennessee is a non-profit community partner that addresses the unmet needs of older adults and caregivers through education, resource navigation, and by being a catalyst for comprehensive solutions. Older adults, caregivers and professionals throughout Middle Tennessee rely on AgeWell’s Directory of Services for updated information on community resources.
AgeWell will build upon community research and established partnerships with local employers to beta test and launch Eldercare Coach. In 2018, AgeWell partnered with Vanderbilt Center for Quality Aging on a community engaged research feasibility pilot utilizing an online decision support tool, Roobrik: Is It Time To Get Help? along with AgeWell’s online Directory of Services to optimize caregiving for employed caregivers representing four local employers. Upon completion of the Roobrik tool, caregivers are provided with a Care Fit report with specific recommendations for care options in response to caregiver input. Through focus groups AgeWell found that employee caregivers have many needs for educational information and expert guidance and that while automated decision-support is useful for care navigation, caregivers, especially ADRD caregivers, also need expert guidance and emotional support through individualized phone consultations and in-person support groups.
Eldercare Coach is the Council on Aging’s caregiver education and support program that helps family caregivers navigate the maze of options and services for older adults, including those with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementias (ADRD). Eldercare Coach provides working caregivers with education, guidance and support, and empowers employers to develop caregiver-friendly practices. The three key components of Eldercare Coach include: eldercare resources and decision support tools to guide employee caregivers & employers; onsite and online learning to develop eldercare and ADRD care competency; and personalized support and coaching to address specific elder care and dementia care challenges (“care coach” phone consultations).