South Dakota launches Structured Family Caregiving program to support families caring for loved ones at home

BOSTON, April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — In partnership with Seniorlink, the state of South Dakota has launched Structured Family Caregiving (SFC), a caregiver support program designed for family members who take care of their loved ones at home. Seniorlink, a company with nearly 20 years of experience supporting family caregivers nationwide, adds South Dakota to the growing list of states served and the first state to offer a digital coaching solution to ensure support reaches caregivers across the state.

South Dakota’s SFC program serves people eligible for the HOPE (Home and Community Based Options and Person-Centered Excellence) Waiver, which aims to expand and enhance community-based long-term care for an increasing population of seniors and adults with disabilities. Ensuring that community-based care is available across the state of South Dakota is challenging, especially when trying to reach residents in more rural communities.  Now, with the SFC program and Seniorlink’s digital coaching solution, families will receive the support needed to confidently care for their loved ones at home.

The SFC program connects experienced coaches with family caregivers telephonically and through Vela, Seniorlink’s secure mobile app to provide guidance, skills and support to families along their caregiving journey. Caregiving is hard. By design, the SFC program addresses the many challenges of family caregiving including the physical, emotional and financial implications caregivers endure. Seniorlink’s coaches partner with the state’s Long Term Services and Support Specialists to ensure that caregivers have access to the resources needed to manage the progression of their loved one’s medical conditions and are paid a financial stipend.

“Family caregivers need support,” said Thomas Riley, Seniorlink’s President and Chief Executive. “Caring for a loved one can be both overwhelming and costly. Seniorlink is committed to serving families across South Dakota and applauds the state for its efforts to keep care at home and in the community.”

South Dakota joins a growing number of innovative state governments partnering with Seniorlink to improve outcomes and reduce the overall cost of care by empowering and supporting family caregivers.

Information about SFC in South Dakota is available at www.sfc-sd.com.