Each year, 419,000 New Mexicans provide 274 million hours of unpaid family care. Earlier this year, New Mexico unveiled its State Plan for Family Caregivers. Aging and Long-Term Services Secretary Designate Myles Copeland will be presenting the plan in Las Cruces at the Pete V. Domenici Hall, 3014 McFie Circle, on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
“We want family caregivers to know they are not alone. There is a strategic plan in place that is built on what caregivers themselves say they need, and this is an opportunity to hear and further inform that plan,” said Secretary Designate Copeland. “Among our goals is to increase access to resources that make life a little easier for family caregivers.”
The New Mexico State Plan for Family Caregivers contains strategies to reach seven goals to ease the burden on caregivers. In addition to increasing access to resources, other goals include increased training and improving coordination of care.
As part of the plan, family caregivers can now call the Aging and Long-Term Services Department’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Caregivers’ needs will be assessed, they will receive benefits counseling and be linked to community resources. The ADRC can be reached at 1-800-432-2080 during normal business hours.
To view the New Mexico State Plan for Family Caregivers, visit www.nmaging.state.nm.us or click here.