How many caregivers do you know who are struggling to balance all the responsibilities in their lives? It’s hard for caregivers to find time for things like grocery shopping, a haircut, or even their own health care appointments. A vacation or weekend away from their care recipient probably seems impossible.
Council on Aging’s (COA) free Caregiver Support Program offers one-on-one support, advice and resources to family and other informal caregivers to help them manage their caregiving responsibilities. And now, the program is also able to offer overnight respite care so caregivers can take a much-needed break.
The program works to:
- reduce caregiver stress, burden and injuries
- increase caregiver confidence and knowledge
- improve the quality of care
- help caregivers balance their lives and caregiving responsibilities
- give caregivers time off from their caregiving duties
With funding from Title III-E of the Older Americans Act, COA is now able to offer financial support that will provide short-term respite care (time off/away for the caregiver) in an appropriate, safe environment. This overnight (up to 7 days) respite
care is designed to provide muchneeded time off for family caregivers who provide care for someone who has a cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia).
If appropriate, this service will provide up to seven days (overnight) of care in an area care facility. All of the care recipient’s needs will be met while at the care facility. Caregivers are then free to use this time for respite – rest, catch up on housework or paperwork, visit out-of-town friends/family, take a vacation, etc.
“Caregivers give so much of themselves and often neglect their own needs when caring for a loved-one,” said Anna Goubeaux, RN, COA’s caregiver support nurse. “Caregiver burnout is one of the top reasons older adults and people with disabilities end up in nursing homes. Supporting caregivers and giving them much-needed time off benefits everyone.”
Who is eligible for COA’s Caregiver Support Program?
To qualify, the caregiver or care recipient must be at least 60 years old and the caregiver must live in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton or Warren counties. There is no age requirement for family caregivers who provide care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction.
Additionally, to be eligible for respite care through this program, the care recipient must not be enrolled in a Medicaid waiver program that already provides short-term respite stay. Overnight respite care is available to family caregivers who provide care for someone who has a cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia).
For more information, click here.