Information Services

Information Services provide public information on caregiving and/or community education on caregiving, including information about available services:

• Public Information designed to provide information about available FCSP services and other caregiver support resources and services.
• Community Education Activities are designed to educate the community and community groups of current or potential caregivers and those who may provide them with assistance about available Family Caregiver Support Program and other caregiver support resources and services.

Access Assistance

Access Assistance services provide caregiver information assistance and caregiver legal resources:

Caregiver Outreach Contact services provide caregivers with information on available services, and links them to related services and opportunities that are available within their communities.

Through the Traditional Legal Assistance Program (TLAP), caregivers are provided with one-on-one guidance by an attorney (or individual under the supervision of an attorney) in the use of legal resources and services when dealing with caregiver-related legal issues.

Support Services

Support Services for caregivers include the following services:

• Assessment is conducted by trained and experienced case managers/counselors to assess caregivers’ needs, which results in a plan that identifies the type and duration of services needed.
• Case Management services for caregivers are designed to assess Family Caregiver and/or Grandparent/Relative Caregiver needs, and coordinate and monitor a recommended package of services that supports their needs.
• Counseling provides caregivers information, referral, education, and in-home counseling to family members caring for older loved ones. Counseling is conducted by trained and experienced case managers/counselors that deliver consultation services appropriate for the caregiver. The counseling services may include guidance with the responsibilities of the caregiving role; therapy for stress, depression, and loss; and may involve their informal support system. Sessions may be individual, direct sessions and/or telephone consultations.
• Support Group counseling, led by a facilitator, is provided to groups of 3-12 caregivers. Sessions are conducted at least once per month within a supportive in-person setting, online, or through teleconference. Sessions are a private place to share experiences and ideas, ease the stress of caregiving, and enhance decision-making and problem-solving related to their caregiving roles. Attending a Caregiver Support Group can help participants find other caregivers who might be interested in keeping in touch and sharing resources
• Training are workshops or one-on-one individually-tailored sessions that are conducted either in-person or remotely by a skilled trainer. The workshops are designed to assist caregivers in developing the skills and knowledge necessary to meet and enhance their caregiving roles. Trainers address health, nutrition, and financial literacy. Participants are taught a variety of self-care tools and strategies to reduce stress, communicate more effectively with family and healthcare providers, deal with difficult feelings, and make toughcaregiving decisions.

Respite Care

Respite Care is a brief period of relief or rest from caregiving responsibilities. It is provided to caregivers on an as-needed temporary basis, and in a manner that responds to the individual needs and preferences. This service is provided to caregivers who (1) care for an individual with two or more daily activity living limitations, (2) care for an individual with a cognitive impairment, or (3) a caregiver who is the grandparent or older adult relative who cares for a child.

• In-Home Supervision  is a temporary respite care that includes home visitations to prevent wandering and health/safety incidents.
• Homemaker Assistance is a temporary respite care that includes assistance with meal preparation, medication management, using the phone, and/or light housework (under the care receiver’s supervision).
• Personal Care is a temporary respite care that includes assistance with eating, bathing, toileting, transferring, and/or dressing (along with care receiver supervision and related homemaker assistance).
• Home Chore is a temporary respite care that includes assistance to a caregiver with heavy housework, yard work, and/or sidewalk and other routine home maintenance associated with caregiving responsibilities. (Does not include structural repairs).
• Out-of-Home Adult Day Care is a temporary respite care, where the care receiver attends a supervised/protective congregate setting during some portion of the day. Access to all social and recreational activities is included.

Supplemental Services

Supplemental Services are offered on a limited basis to support caregivers and strengthen the caregiving efforts. Supplemental Services for caregivers include the following services:

• Assistive Devices may involve the purchase, rental and/or service fee of any equipment or product system (ranging from a lift chair or bathtub transfer bench to an emergency alert fall prevention device) that will facilitate and enhance the caregiving role.
• Home Adaptations makes any minor or major physical change to the home in order to facilitate and enhance the caregiving role (ranging from installation of grab bars or replacement of door handles to construction of an entrance ramp or roll-in shower).
• Registry is a listing of dependable, qualified self-employed homemaker or respite care workers who may be matched with caregivers willing to utilize personal resources to pay for assistance with their caregiving responsibilities. Both the caregiver and the selfemployed worker will be advised about appropriate compensation, performance expectations, and follow-up to ensure the match is functioning effectively.
• Emergency Cash/Material Aid