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Programs For Families & Caregivers

There are a variety of programs that support and assist caregivers. Such programs exist at the county offices for the aging, Alzheimer's Association, Red Cross, Cooperative Extensions, and other community and faith-based organizations. On-line resources are plentiful and easily accessible for people who cannot leave their loved one to attend a local training or support group.

New Initiative

Recognizing the critical need to support the growing numbers of family caregivers who care for older New Yorkers, as well as caregivers who devote their time to children and adults with special needs, the New York State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2008-09 budget includes an appropriation to fund Regional Caregiver Centers for Excellence (RCCE). The RCCEs are intended to bolster and strengthen the existing system of caregiver support programs in communities across the state. Click here to learn specifics about this important new initiative.

New York Elder Caregiver Support Program

The New York Elder Caregiver Support Program assists informal caregivers - spouses, adult children, other family members, friends and neighbors in their efforts to care for older persons who need help with everyday tasks. Because of the assistance they receive, these older persons with chronic illnesses or disabilities are able to remain in their own homes in the community. Some local programs also assist grandparents and other older relative caregivers of children and promote the retention of the children in a nurturing family environment instead of placement in foster care. Informal caregivers are an invaluable resource to their loves ones and to the United State's health care system because of the care they provide.

While caregivers choose to support their loved ones, it is often challenging and can create physical, emotional and financial strains on the caregiver. Caregivers can turn to the New York Elder Caregiver Support Program for help and support with their unique caregiving circumstances. Local offices for the aging are ready to serve caregivers in their communities. Local caregiver support programs provide:

• Information about available services
• Assistance in gaining access to services
• Individual Counseling, Support Groups, and Training to assist caregivers in the areas of health, nutrition and financial literacy and to make decisions and solve problems relating to their caregiver roles.
• Respite to temporarily relieve caregivers from their responsibilities by providing a short-term break through home care, overnight care in an adult home or nursing home, adult day care and other community-based care.
• Supplemental Services to complement the care provided by the caregiver, such as a Personal Emergency Response System, assistive technology, home modifications, Home Delivered Meals, transportation.

Grandparents and Kinship Caregiving

A growing number of grandparents and other relatives find themselves caring for their grandchildren and other relative children due to a variety of circumstances. These caregivers often face unique issues, such as financial hardships, isolation from their peers, the need for legal advice, etc. Click on the Grandparents and Kinship link if you are a kinship caregiver.