Family Caregiver Support Program
Families are the major provider of long-term care in America. In an effort to help family and informal caregivers care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible, the Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) provides assistance to fund a range of support services to assist caregivers. Family Caregiver Support Program Serves the Caregiver.
Eligible family caregivers are:
- A caregiver of any age providing care for an older adult age 60 or older OR providing care for a person with Alzheimer’s Disease or related brain disorder
- A caregiver (who is not the birth or adoptive parent), age 55 or older, raising a related child age 18 and under or an adult with a disability *caregivers with the greatest social and economic need are priority as well as those over 60 caring for children under 18 who are mentally or developmentally delayed*
Services Provided through the Family Caregiver Support Program Include:
- Information to caregivers about available services and resources
- Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services
- Individual counseling
- organization of support groups
- training to assist caregivers in the areas of health, nutrition, and financial literacy, and in making decisions and solving problems concerning their role as caregiver
- Respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their care giving responsibilities
- Supplemental services, on a limited basis, such as home safety checks
These services can work in conjunction with other State and Community-Based Services to provide a coordinated set of supports. Studies have shown that these services can reduce caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress and enable them to provide care longer, thereby avoiding or delaying the need for costly institutional care. For more information you may contact Laura Jett, Family Caregiver Resource Specialist at 252-974-1837 or by email at tjovel@mideastcom.org
- DENIAL about the situation and its effect on the care recipient—I know Mom is going to get better.
- ANGER at the care recipient or at others; that no effective treatments or cures exist; and that people don’t understand what’s going on—If he asks me that one more time I’ll scream!
- SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL from friends and activities that once brought pleasure—I don’t care about getting together with the neighbors anymore.
- ANXIETY about facing another day and what the future holds—What happens when he needs more care than I can provide?
- DEPRESSION begins to break the spirit and affects the ability to cope—I don’t care about anything anymore.
- EXHAUSTION makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks—I’m too tired for this.
- SLEEPLESSNESS caused by a never-ending list of concerns—What if she wanders out of the house or falls and hurts herself?
- IRRITABILITY leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses and reactions—Leave me alone!
- LACK OF CONCENTRATION makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks—I was so busy, I forgot we had an appointment.
- HEALTH PROBLEMS begin to take their toll, both mentally and physically—I can’t remember the last time I felt good.
- When the care giving burden becomes too heavy ask for help; delegate a task to someone else.
- Stop to do something you enjoy, even if it’s not timely.
- Remind yourself that it’s OK to cry.
- Keep a journal to write down things that make you happy or that are going well.
- Make sure you get enough rest, nap when there is downtime if needed.
- Take things as they come, not everything can be scheduled.
- Let things go if you are too weary to do them. Realize some things can wait.
- Take long slow breaths when you are feeling anxious.
- Have someone you can trust & share your feelings with.
- Caring for yourself is a priority
- You know & respect your limits
- You arrange for time for yourself
- Time with a spouse, other family and friends is available
- You give yourself credit for things you do well
- Care giving is a partnership in which you share responsibilities with others
- AccentCare—fee-for-service company providing in-home care
- CareGuide—fee-for-service care management company, also provides information to caregivers of older adults on many topics – free online support groups
- AARP—has links to many areas of concern
- Today’s Caregiver—links to other appropriate sites, has a caregiver library (suggestions for books & produce “Today’s Caregiver Magazine”) & list of resources
- Family Caregiver Alliance—Information on long-term care, links for resources, research, newsletter, public policy, etc.
- CareGivers—information on a variety of aging topics including geriatric health, senior drugs, senior housing, geriatric assessments, elder law, insurance, finances
- Caregiver Action Network—services, programs, resources, for general information and membership
- Benefits Check Up—free screening tool to determine eligibility for nearly 1,000 unique state & federal programs and provide instructions on how to apply for them
- Medicare—database on this site helps locate prescription drug assistance
- ALZwell Caregiver Support—hosted by a family caregiver – practical tips
- Alzbrain—comparison of normal and Alzheimer’s disease brain
- RxList—drug information, medical encyclopedia
- Hospice Foundation of America—ask a question feature at the hospice website
- Alzheimer’s North Carolina—provides family caregivers and friends with information on providing quality care for, and maintaining a meaningful relationship with, the person who has Alzheimer’s Disease
- Well Spouse—virtual support community for spouses for the frail elderly (including message boards & live Internet chats) with other spouse caregivers