Today, the population is living longer than ever before. Along with this aging trend, comes the desire for people to remain independent in their home, even with chronic illness. The Family Caregiver Support Program is a program designed to identify, assist, and support family caregivers with the task of taking care of their loved one in the home.
In 1999, during the re-authorization of the Older Americans Act, came the National Family Caregiver Support Program. This program calls for all states with the partnership of the Area Agency on Aging to administer this program in five areas.
Administration Areas
Information
To identify caregivers in the area and the services available to those caregivers. A caregiver is defined as a person who is assisting another person to live independent in their home. This may be:
- Spouse caring for a spouse.
- Children caring for or assisting aging parent(s).
- Children caring for or assisting aging parent(s) along with raising their own children.
- Children caring for or assisting aging parent(s) for long distance with or without the assistance of paid caregivers.
- Neighbor or friend caring for or assisting an aging neighbor or friend.
Assistance
Aiding the caregiver to gain access to services that can assist them in their caregiving role —This is identified as the Care Management program of the Area Agency on Aging.
Respite Service
Enables the caregiver to have temporary relief of the caregiving tasks by a paid caregiver so they may participate in activities of their choice to help keep themselves mentally and emotionally well.
Supplemental Services
Identified services offered on a limited basis to compliment the care provided by the caregiver.