Critical Analysis Report

Critical Analysis Report

DSAAPD Care Delaware Program
Wilmington University Graduate Center
Professor: Linda Payne
Fall 2014
Administration of Human Services
AHS 8100
November 16, 2014
By
Crystal Mills-Selby

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The Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities offers various
programs and services to assist the growing number of caregivers who help to care for the elderly
in the state. Delaware is home to a very large number of caregivers, in 2012 approximately
51,000 Delawareans provided 58 million hours of unpaid care to the older population (DHSS,
2014). This expansion of aging care in the state has had a tremendous impact on family
caregivers. Most family members caring for the elderly experience increased amounts of
physical and emotional stress, personal sacrifice, and financial hardships related to caregiving.
To promote self-care for caregivers, the DSAAPDs Care Delaware Program-Caregiver
Assistance-Respite-Education assists caregivers in receiving the necessary support, resources,
education, and respite needed to effectively care for loved ones and themselves.
Program Description
The Care Delaware program is a service provided by the DSAAPD to assist caregivers,
who consist of family, friends, and others who help to take care of the elderly. Care Delaware is
funded by the Older Americans Act through its National Family Caregivers Support Program
(DHSS, 2014). The services are provided collaboratively between the DSAAPD, senior centers,
local libraries, and private respite care providers. There are several services offered by the Care
Delaware program to accommodate the needs of caregivers. There are eight caregiver resource
centers located throughout the state, which are housed within senior centers and provide
information and support groups on a variety of caregiver concerns/issues. Resource Center
Coordinators provide support, information and assistance in helping caregivers learn about the
various services available to meet their specific needs. Caregiver Skills Training is offered
throughout the state for those who seek knowledge, skills and resources in caregiving techniques.
Topics include planning for care, accessing community/government resources, caregiver

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challenges, managing medications and caregiver self-care. Respite Care is a service that allows
caregivers to receive relief from the ongoing responsibilities of caregiving. This gives the
caregiver the opportunity to do things they need or want to do such as attend appointments, meet
with friends, or just to have some alone time. Care Delaware also offers caregiver support groups
which provide emotional support where caregivers can communicate their unique concerns while
also learning from others with similar experiences.
Program Manager
The Care Delaware program is a section within the Service and Delivery Program Unit of
the Delaware Division of Services for the Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities. The
program is managed by the DSAAPDs Community Services Program Administrator along with
the support and collaboration of the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
options counselors, resource center coordinators, support group facilitators, and various specially
trained staff in caregiver support and training. The program administrator is responsible for the
coordination of all programs and services offered to caregivers throughout the state. This
individual ensures that all programs are operated effectively and efficiently to meet the
requirements of state and federal guidelines for continuous funding. They are also responsible for
the care and maintenance of the DSAAPDs supplies which are given away as information and
resources at community events, resource centers, libraries and caregiver skills training classes.
To meet the many demands of the increasing need for community service programs within the
state that address caregiver support, the administrator provides information and insight to various
public and private organization leaders advocating for the proper care of the aging and their
caregivers.

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Program Management
The Community Services Program Administrator operates the Care Delaware program in
a participatory style that collaborates with various community organizations and staff. By
maintaining strong partnerships with these public and private agencies and organizations, the
program is able to offer caregiver services throughout the community. Through the management
of this program the DSAAPD is promoting the development, improvement and expansion of
services that address caregiver needs. These coordinated efforts provide information and
assistance supporting caregivers in exploring the many services in seeking referrals for their
specific needs. The programs within this network utilize the best practices in caregiver support
and resources in accommodating the increasing aging populations need for effective caregiver
services.
Management Difference
As the director of this program I would focus on developing stronger faith-based
community partnerships. The development of these collaborations would foster and expand
programs and services that reach a variety of people and communities, especially those in
vulnerable and at-risk populations that desperately need caregiver services. Linking public and
faith-based networks would make it possible to reach and engage a broader range of consumers
and service options that could impact caregiver support funding, programming, and resources.
By building strong partnerships with faith-based organizations and churches, effective outreach
could be achieved through the coordination of community events and activities that reach the
populations with limited access to programs and services due to social and economic disparities.
The DSAAPD would cultivate long standing community relationships in assisting and educating
various cultures of people about DSAAPD service options.

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Program Consistency
The Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities Care Delaware
program supports several caregiver resource centers. As the director of the program, my goal
would be to maintain and expand this service. Currently the services provided at these centers are
only on a part-time basis which limits the availability of information and assistance for
consumers seeking information for their specific needs. By providing services on a full-time
basis, resource center coordinators would be able to counsel a broader range of consumers on a
variety of service options offered by the DSAAPD. Caregiver support services such as
addressing individual concerns, making appropriate referrals, and support group sessions would
be available on a consistent basis to address increasing demands.
Program Funding
Currently the Care Delaware program receives most of its public funding from the federal
governments Older Americans Act Title III, Title V, and Title VII grants under the
Administration of Aging (DHSS, 2014). These continuous grants provide funding for home and
community evidence based programs. On an annual basis statistical information must be
presented to state and federal officials that prove program models are effective and deliver
needed services to its participants. Additional funding is also provided by the US Department of
Health and Human Services Social Services Block Grant, and the Delaware General AssemblyGeneral Funds on an annual basis. Due to the fact that the majority of funding for this program is
continuously provided by state and federal grants, any other financial needs would be provided
through the creation of fund raising strategies.

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Staff Qualities
As the director of the Care Delaware program, I would seek employees that possess a
variety of transferable skills. They must have the ability to communicate orally, adapt to
changing situations, have critical thinking skills, organizational planning skills, and demonstrate
integrity. Staff must be willing to take an active role in the operation and decision making
process as it pertains to the DSAAPD programs and services, reflecting on their mission and
vision statements. Effectively managing this program would require teamwork where each
individual has a specific level of responsibility in sharing information and skills in achieving
desired outcomes for the team as a whole. The staff would be required to engage in ongoing
training and professional skills development in order to create a knowledgeable and diverse
group that strategically develops plans that address the needs of the states growing caregiver
population.
Conclusion
The DSAAPD promotes excellence in the delivery of its programs that address the needs
of caregiver support. The Care Delaware program has an ultimate goal of delivering services that
are effective and efficient for their consumers. To serve the state of Delawares increasing aging
population there must be a focus on the needs of the many individuals that care for the elderly.
Caregivers throughout the state provide countless hours of care without the necessary respite
required to properly care for themselves and others. The efforts of this program work toward the
growing trend in supporting the enhancement of self-directed care that allows individuals to age
in place in their own homes and communities.

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References
Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities. (September, 2014)
Retrieved from. http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dsaapd