"There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers."
–Rosalynn Carter
The Family Caregiver Support Program of the High Country Area Agency on Aging offers services and support for caregivers. Our goal is to provide caregivers with the needed support to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress and enable them to provide care longer, thereby avoiding or delaying the need for costly institutional care.
If you are a grandparent raising a grandchild or a parent of an adult with developmental disabilities, please refer to the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren page for more information.
Who is a caregiver?
A caregiver can be defined numerous ways. In general we define a caregiver as anyone providing care and support to a loved one on a continual basis. You are a caregiver if you:
- Provide personal care such as toileting, bathing, dressing, assist with eating, or ambulation
- Help with shopping, medical appointments, finances, housework, and home repairs
- Seek information and assistance in acquiring services for your loved one
- Help your loved one manage healthcare, appointments, and coordinating services while you are living an hour or more away
- Oversee the care of your loved one while they reside in a facility
You are eligible if you:
Are an unpaid caregiver of someone over the age of 60 who needs assistance (verbal or physical) completing at least TWO activities of daily living.
This includes:
- Bathing
- Toileting
- Walking or moving about the house without anyone help
- Eating
- Transferring into/out of a bed or chair
- Getting Dressed
AND/OR
You are an unpaid caregiver of someone living with Dementia or severe memory loss.
Family Caregiver Support Program services
Respite services
Respite is typically defined as a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant. Respite for caregivers can take on many forms with the ultimate goal of helping to share in the responsibility of caregiving and providing support. Utilizing respite care prior to becoming exhausted, isolated, or overwhelmed is ideal and the simple anticipation of relief can greatly reduce stress and anxiety.
In additional to Project CARE and the Lifespan Respite Program, the High Country Area Agency on Aging provides caregiver directed vouchers. Respite vouchers are based upon availability and eligibility.
Support groups and additional services
Connection to Resources & Services
The family caregiver support program will work with caregivers to connect them to resources in our community. The caregiver support program can provide support and education, case management, supportive services, and referrals.
Support Groups
Caregiver support groups are a wonderful way for caregivers to provide support for one another. Our support groups are offered throughout the region and in various settings in order to meet the needs of the group. Regional support group times and locations can be found on our events calendar.
Case Management & In-Home Assessments
The family caregiver support program provides in-home visits, consultation, emergency planning, and safety evaluations for caregivers and care recipients. We understand that it is impossible to come get services at our office when caregiving-that’s why we bring the support to you!
Educational Programs
Educational workshops for caregivers are offered on various topics that can be directly applied to the role of a caregiver. Caregiver support and dementia awareness workshops for the general public are also available.
Dementia Friends
Dementia Friends USA is part of a global movement that is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. A Dementia Friend is someone who, through viewing a series of online videos or attending an in-person session, learns about what it's like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into action. From telling friends about the Dementia Friends program to visiting someone who is living with dementia, every action counts. Regional Dementia Friends workshops can be found on our events calendar.
Additional Caregiver Resources
Family Caregiver Support Program Informational Flyer (English)
Folleto Informativo del Programa de Apoyo Para Cuidadores Familiares (Español)
For additional information on any of the Family Caregiver Support Program services contact Myles Stacey at 828-265-5434 ext. 123 or mstacey@hccog.org
