The funding, which is guaranteed through 2006, is allocated to states through a congressionally mandated formula that is based on a proportionate share of the number of elders. The federal statute requires states to give priority to those in the greatest social and economic need, particularly low-income, minority individuals, and to older adults providing care and support to people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. Those eligible for the services offered by the Caregiver Alliance Program include family caregivers of patients 60 years or older, or those who are 60+ caring for grandchildren or a DMR child 18 years or older. A caregiver is defined as a family member or friend taking care of a loved one in the community or in a residential care center, who does not receive any compensation for their care. However, the Caregiver Alliance will provide information and referral to others who need caregiver support. There is no income eligibility, and all services are free. Once eligibility is determined, caregivers are eligible for services for three months. They also provide services to caregivers through a period of bereavement.

In Massachusetts, to access the Family Caregiver Support Program services, one should call the local Aging Service Access Point (ASAP), formerly known as State Home Care Corporations (IRis keyword "Home Care Corps/State Funded").

Each region in Massachusetts has a different model, and services vary. Joanne Peskowitz, MSW, LICSW, the Assistant Regional Coordinator for the Suffolk County Region, explained the program and its services in the Boston area. In Suffolk County, the Caregiver Alliance is a collaboration of five elder service providers – The Boston Commission on Affairs of the Elderly, Boston Senior Home Care, Central Boston Elder Services, Chelsea-Revere-Winthrop Home Care, and ETHOS. The Caregiver helpline is available through Boston Elder Info for additional information or to request services. Their phone number is 617-292-6277.

One of the first services the program offers is specialized information packages that explain the overall services offered by the program which is mailed to caregivers after the initial assessment. Currently, 13 specialized packets are being developed on topics such as legal resources, long-term care, financial resources, home safety, and community assistance.

The Suffolk County program provides education and training seminars approximately twice a month on issues such as the legal aspects of long-term care, adjusting to the caregiver role and responsibilities, and doctor/patient communication.

Since each situation is unique and complex, and most caregivers know very little about the many options and services available to them and their loved ones, the Caregiver Alliance also offers individually tailored information and referral services. They work with the caregivers to help connect them to agencies and organizations that can offer various supplemental and supportive services. One example might be referring the caregiver to the appropriate ASAP for assessment of eligibility respite services.

Support groups sponsored by the Caregiver Alliance Program throughout Boston also provide an important means of assisting the caregiver. For example, a Russian Caregiver support group is being offered in collaboration with the Metrowest Region Caregiver Support Program. It meets at the Brookline Senior Center on the first and third Monday of the month from 11:30am to 1:00pm. These support groups offer educational presentations and discussions, including "What’s Up Doc" with Jim Hayes from Match-Up Interfaith Volunteers. This program provides information for caregivers on how to communicate effectively with health care providers. There is also a psychoeducational group through ETHOS that meets on the 2^nd Tuesdays of the month at Blake Estates, an elderly housing complex in Hyde Park.

The Caregiver Alliance Program also offers the Grandparents Support Program. The program addresses the very unique needs of grandparent caregivers through grandparent support groups, education and training, information and referral, and assistance navigating the service system.

At the same presentation Jan Wall spoke about Sound Advice, a private-pay geriatric care management program for seniors, disabled adults, and their families. Jan explained that Sound Advice and the Caregiver Alliance Program complement one another, not just in Suffolk County, but throughout Massachusetts. It is another option for a patient and his or her caregivers if they have needs that extend beyond the Caregiver Alliance Program three-month limit. Sound Advice is a program of the Eldercare Alliance, which is a collaboration of Boston Senior Home Care, Central Boston Elder Services, and Ethos.

Their geriatric care management services include evaluation of an individual’s needs, housing and care planning. They provide referral for services such as legal, financial, medical, home adaptations, and check writing/bill paying. They assist families with respite care coordination, as well as crisis intervention. Sound advice provides advocacy for an individual’s health care, housing or care needs, and provides assistance in accessing eligible benefits programs and completing the necessary forms. They also can follow up with the patient by monitoring the services being utilized to insure that their needs are being met.