THE NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM
Support programing outlined by Title III-E of the Older Americans Act provides services to help family caregivers to care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible. Services are available to adult family members who provide in-home and community care for a person age 60 or older or to grandparents age 55 or older who serve as caregivers for children 18 and younger.
FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAMS
Families are the major provider of long-term care, but research has shown that care-giving exacts a heavy emotional, physical and financial toll. Many experience conflicts between being a caregiver and work or other responsibilities. Often caregivers are over age 50. This makes them more vulnerable to a decline in their own health, and necessitates having excellent supports and strategies to support themselves while supporting their loved one.
CAREGIVER RESPITE
When respite is needed to provide a break from the task of caring for a loved one the Area Agency on Aging is here to assist with service referrals to respite care providers and vouchers to help decrease the financial impact. Please reach out to your local Senior Coordinator to find out if this program is available for you and your family
SENIOR FAMILY ADVOCACY
Legal Assistance
Legal assistance is often needed with complicated elder caregiver matters such as medical advanced directives, power of Attorney, long term care, elder abuse, conservatorship, wills, estates, and probate., Additionally, special legal resources are needed for a family caregiver when the caregiver is a grandparent caring for a grandchild. Legal resources for these challenging family caregiver situations can be accessed through our Senior Coordinator, The Area Agency on Aging Office.
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Ombudsman Services
As a family caregiver there often comes a time when support is needed to negotiate the best interests and dignity of family members living in a Long-Term Care facility. Ombudsman educate the public about long-term care before there is a need to make a decision about nursing home care for themselves or a family member. They consult with families to help them choose the long-term care facility that best meets their needs.
Ombudsman work with residents, families, and staff of long-term care facilities to educate them about resident’s rights and quality of life issues. Ombudsman always ask the question “What does the resident want in this situation?” seeking to provide information and advocacy to meet the Long-Term Care Residents and their families desire for safety, dignity and quality of life.
Should you , as a family caregiver, have concerns about your loved one who lives in a Long-Term Care Residence or require information as your explore long-term care please contact our local Ombudsman for assistance.
GRANDPARENTS AS PARENTS
Grandparents are raising millions of children in this country. While extended families have always helped with child rearing, grandparents increasingly are becoming primary caretakers because their grandchildren have become neglected, abused, or abandoned due to parental neglect, drug abuse, imprisonment, mental illness, or a life threatening disease.
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While raising a child is never easy in the best of circumstances, The NECALG Area Agency on Aging is here to support Grandparents raising Grandchildren with vouchers to assist with items such as school supplies or other pressing expenses.
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Contact The Area Agency on Aging at 970 867-9409 to speak with us about your needs as a grandparent who is raising your grandchildren.