he Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000 authorized the creation of the National Family Caregiver Support Program to assist individuals with the care of their older loved ones. Family Caregivers are a vital resource in the American Healthcare system, providing a tremendous amount of home care services often without any training or support for their efforts. The ultimate goal of the Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) is to improve the health and well-being of family caregivers by providing them with an array of flexible services designed to meet their individual needs.
Caregivers that are eligible for the Family Caregiver Support Program are:
An adult family member, or another individual, who is an informal provider of in-home and community care to an older adult age 60 or older or an Alzheimer's individual (or related disorders of neurological or organic brain dysfunction) of any age. As well as grandparents over the age of 55 who are the primary caregivers of the grandchildren under the age of 18.
The Family Caregiver Support Program provides the following services:
Information – Outreach efforts at the community level, to educate older people and their caregivers about the benefits and services available to them.
Assistance – Offers one-on-one contact to assess the problems and capacities for caregivers and to link caregivers to the opportunities and services available within their communities.
Individual Counseling and Organization of Support Groups – Advise and guidance made available to caregivers through the FCSP Coordinator to assist the caregiver in making decisions and solving problems relating to their roles.
Respite – Temporary, a brief period of relief or rest for caregivers can be provided in the form of in-home respite, adult day care respite to help caregivers who need a break, to take care of their own personal needs and priorities.
Supplemental Services – Services provided on a limited basis to complement the care provided by caregivers. This service is flexible and responsive to the unique and often diverse needs of families.
Training – Instructions to help caregivers and par-professionals acquire the necessary skills to be able to perform their caregiving duties.
Funding is limited for this program.
For more information contact Aging Disability Resource Center at 606-877-5763 or 1-844-213-9676.
Updated 1/1/2022