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Anyone who thinks that the extended family is a thing of the past, consider this: at least 50 million Americans are currently serving as primary caregivers for children, spouses, parents, and other beloved relatives with special needs.
Despite, and perhaps even because of the harsh economic climate, many states are doing what they can to encourage the involvement of family caregivers. The recently enacted Affordable Care Act is beginning to help define that encouragement. According to an authoritative report last year in the Health Affairs,


At Butterfly Effects, whatever the motivation, we see this trend towards family caregiving as a positive evolution, especially when we consider two trends that cannot be ignored: the aging of our population and the increasing prevalence of children evidencing Autism Spectrum Disorders.

As anyone who has provided long-term care can attest (and more than a third of American families have) providing that care can drain even the most resourceful families. Problems and associated stress can never be entirely eliminated but families can act proactively to become more effective caregivers while also keeping their families intact and healthy.

If you currently are providing support for a loved one in your home or need to begin planning for that possibility, give Butterfly Effects a call.
We can help you in any number of ways, both with children and adults.  

The needs of these two populations are very different. Each requires a different mindset and approach to planning. With young people, when ever possible, we look to help them develop the skills that will lead them to more independence and less restricted lives. With adults, particularly seniors, the opposite is often true. While we look to help seniors maintain their independence and do what we can to improve difficult behaviors, ultimately in most cases we need to plan for the delivery of increasing levels of care.

Case Coordination and Funding
It's going to be some time before the impact of the Affordable Care Act filters through and the rules of the road are established in each state. Even then, we can expect that politics will keep those rules in some state of flux. Interpreting them so as to maximize the assistance you receive is never going to be easy.

At Butterfly Effects, we can help you understand, apply for, and advocate for needed services.
We can also help you understand how to make use of Medicare and Medicaid, private insurance, and other sources of entitled funding to help offset expenses and pay for needed services.

While it is noble and a kindness to be a family caregiver, it's a favor to no one if you go it all alone.
At Butterfly Effects, we believe that homecare is not just the future, but the right future, and have developed our programs to support family caregivers.

Services for Adults and Seniors

• Respite Services to give family caregivers the time needed to take care of needs, other family members, and get adequate rest.
• Behavioral Interventions to curb difficult behaviors that are the most common cause for institutionalizing adults
• Mental Health Counseling to deal with depression and other ailments that are often treated only by medication, if at all
• Rehabilitation Services to improve skills and health, promote socialization, and make needed accommodations through speech, physical, and occupational therapies
  

Services for Newborns and Toddlers

• Mothers Helper including baby nurses and night nannies to support new parents facing significant challenges with both infant and home maintenance support
• Specialty Clinics for sleeping, feeding, and toileting issues
• Evaluations and Screenings to monitor for Autism and developmental delays
• Early Intervention Services to provide infants and toddlers with the greatest opportunity to overcome developmental challenges
• Behavioral Interventions to teach children with challenges the needed skills that don't come to them naturally
• School Readiness to prepare young children with challenges for that first day of school

Services for Children and Teens

• Behavioral Tutoring to help children, especially those with Autism, develop skills, learn behaviors, improve speech through intensive one-on-one interventions in their natural environments
• Academic Tutoring to teach fundamental academic skills and keep students current with their studies
• IEP Review and Support to help parents properly plan and coordinate for needed services in school or homeschooled
• Essential Therapies including, Speech, Physical, and Occupational therapies
• Transitional and Life Skill Training to give children the skills needed for independence and success
• Respite and Behavioral Babysitting to provide caregivers with the time to attend to family and personal needs while involving another trained adult to support behavioral plans
• Mental Health Counseling to make certain that this often ignored area of health for children with challenges is properly maintained

Services for Caregivers

• Educational Opportunities are provided through interactive online trainings and coursework as well as suggested readings
• Support is provided by phone or through our online network where you can review notes and plans and get answers to your questions and concerns
• Mental Health Services are available for caregivers including individual, sibling, family, couples, and parent-child therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Training
All of our staff is trained in the principles of ABA and we encourage caregivers to also learn how to use this valuable tool to teach skills, change behaviors, and promote communication. Caregivers can learn the basics of ABA through online training. Also, in support of a behavior plan, our ABA tutors and therapists will train caregivers how to use the tools of continuous encouragement and positive reinforcement to provide the kind of intensive intervention that makes all the difference.

Currently family caregivers are responsible for about 80 percent of all long-term care services in the United States.
However you choose to measure it, family members are currently providing more care services than the federal government provides across all settings . . . and they are doing it not for pay, but out of love.

At Butterfly Effects, we think that family caregivers should be commended but they should also be supported. We are designed to do just that.

Even if it's just to ask a question, please give us a call. We promise to make you glad that you did.

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Reference

Reinhard SC and  Kassner AH, 2011."How the Affordable Care Act Can Help Move States Toward a High-Performing System of Long-Term Services and Supports." Health Affairs, March 2011 30(3):447-53. Retrieved at http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Publications/In-the-Literature/2011/Mar/How-the-Affordable-Care-Act-Can-Help-Move-States.aspx



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