Services for Family Caregivers

This section includes programs to support family caregivers, education and training opportunities, respite programs, and helpful websites just for you. The resources may help you better manage your caregiving role... and help you to take better care for yourself! You will also find programs specific to Connecticut AND national organizations directing you to local resources.

Program	Description	Eligibility		Phone	Website
		Caregiver	Care Recipient
State-Level
Alzheimer's Respite Care Program	Government program assists family caregivers who care for adults with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia by helping to pay for home and community based services.	Anyone caring for someone who meets care receiver eligibility criteria	Multiple requirements: •Adults with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia •Low income •Not enrolled in Connecticut Homecare Program •Able to afford co-payment for service	(800) 994 9422	http://www.ct.gov/aging services/cwp/view.asp?a=2513&q=313030
Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut Inc.	Non-profit organization offers assisted living and skilled nursing in its own facilities specializing in dementia care. Other services include: •Information and referral •Respite care •Adult day care programs •Support groups •Education programs	Anyone age 18 and older caring for someone with dementia	Adults with dementia of any age	(860) 628-3002	http://www.alzheimers resourcecenter.org
Connecticut Lifespan Respite Coalition (CLRC)	Provides information and referral services to assist caregivers or family in obtaining respite care.	Anyone	Anyone	Within Connecticut, call: (877) 737-1966 Outside Connecticut, call: (860) 513-0172	http://www.ctrespite.org
Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP)	FCSP services for family caregivers are provided through local area agencies on aging (AAAs) and include: • Information • Assistance • Individual counseling, support groups and caregiver training • Respite care • Limited supplemental services, such as transportation and home modifications	• Anyone age 18 and older caring for someone who meets care receiver eligibility Special Populations: • Adults age 55 and older who are caring for anyone (that is not their child) over 18 years old with developmental disabilities • Grandparents or other relatives age 55 and older caring for children (age 18 and under)	• Adults age 60 and older Exception: • Adults with dementia can be any age	Within Connecticut, call: (800) 994-9422 OR (866) 218-6631 Outside Connecticut, call: (860) 424-5274	http://www.ct.gov/aging services/cwp/view.asp?a=2513&q=313064
National-Level
AARP (Online Resources)	A consumer organization for people 50 years and older. Provides online information about issues related to aging, including: • Long-term care and retirement • Financial and legal information • Resources on family caregiving • Internet resources on aging	Anyone	Anyone	(888) OUR-AARP (888) 687-2277 Available weekdays 7:00am - 12:00 midnight (Eastern Time)	http://www.aarp.org
Access to Health Insurance / Resources for Care	Online resource that provides information on low-cost and affordable health insurance, health care, and hospice. It is a free service from the Actors' Fund of America's Health Insurance Resource Center.	Anyone	Anyone	(800) 798-8447	http://www.ahirc.org
AgingPro	Online directory of aging and caregiver support services. Offers access to professionals in aging, resources, educational articles, virtual classroom, ask the expert, and support groups.	Anyone	Anyone	See website for local contact information	http://www.agingpro.com
AGIS	Provides information and planning tips about long-term care and caregiving. Its website includes a "Find Facilities and Services" search tool to help consumers find long-term care housing, caregiver support, hospice and palliative care programs and other aging services. Offers a "Caregiver Kit" to help caregivers.	Anyone	Anyone	See website for local contact information	http://www.agis.com
Alzheimer's Association	Provides reliable information, care consultation and supportive services for dementia caregivers through state and local chapters. The website also includes an interactive tool, CareFinder, which helps families to: • Recognize dementia care • Plan and pay for care • Communicate with care providers • Find local support and resources	Anyone	Anyone	(800) 272-3900 Hotline available 24 hours 7 days a week	http://www.alz.org
American Red Cross - Family Caregiver Training Program	Local Red Cross chapters offer in-person educational sessions, for a nominal fee, on topics such as: • Home safety • Healthy eating • Bathing • Legal and financial issues • Self-care for the caregiver	Anyone	__	See website for local contact information	http://www.redcross.org
ARCH National Respite Network	Online "Respite Locator" is a service to help families and professionals locate respite services in their community from a database of nearly 3,000 members.	Anyone	Anyone	See website for local contact information	http://www.respitelocator .org
Brain Talk Communities	An online forum for caregivers and neurology patients to provide support for each other and to learn about community resources and services.	Anyone caring for someone who meets care recipient eligibility.	Anyone with a neurological disorder.	__	http://brain.hastypastry. net/forums
CancerCare	Provides support services for anyone affected by cancer including limited financial assistance grants for: • Transportation • Child care • Home care	Anyone	Patient must currently be receiving treatment for cancer	(800) 813-4673	http://www.cancercare.org
Caregiver.com	Provides online information and support to family caregivers, including a resource that helps to identify and locate caregiver support groups and other caregiver resources in specific counties, including non-profit organizations, rural caregiver resources and products and services.	Anyone	Anyone	(800) 829-2734	http://www.caregiver.com
Caregivers Marketplace	A program that offers cash back on goods and products that are not typically covered by insurance or Medicare. Products eligible for cash back include nutrition, incontinence supplies, bathing and skin care, and aids for daily living.	Anyone who purchases caregiving products.	Anyone who purchases caregiving products.	(800) 888-0889	http://caregivers marketplace.com
CAREgivinghelp.org	Provides information about a variety of caregiving topics. Also provides access to geriatric care specialists.	Anyone	Anyone	(773) 576-1602	http://www.caregiving help.org
Caring Connections	A program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization that offers free resources and information (online and over the phone) about end-of-life care and services. Includes information about: • Advance care planning • Financial assistance • Hospice care and grief	Anyone	Anyone	(800) 658-8898 HelpLine in Spanish: (877) 658-8896	http://www.caringinfo.org
Children of Aging Parents	An online support group for adults caring for their parents or other relatives. Also provides a list of in-person support groups in different states.	Anyone caring for a family member or friend.	__	(800) 227-7294	http://www.caps4 caregivers.org
Daily Strength	Offers over 500 online support communities and information exchange on a variety of health and wellness issues, including caregiving.	Anyone	Anyone	__	http://www.dailystrength .org
Easter Seals	Assists children and adults with disabilities and their families by providing adult day services, including medical and social services.	__	Children and adults with disabilities	(800) 221-6827	http://www.easter seals.com
Faith in Action	Network of interfaith volunteer caregiving programs across the country. Volunteers shop, cook, drive or just check in on those with long-term health needs.	__	Eligibility varies by program (see website)	(866) 839-8865	http://www.fianational network.org
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)	FCA is a nonprofit caregiver support organization that offers online resources, fact sheets and electronic newsletters which serve as a central source of information and assistance to family caregivers in every state. FCA's National Center on Caregiving offers a national telephone hotline. The website also hosts three online support groups open to the public for caregivers and their loved ones: • Caregiver Online Group • Huntington's Disease & Movement Disorders Online Group • LGBT Caring Community Online Support Group	Caregiver Online Group: Family and friends caring for adults with cognitive disorders and other chronic health conditions. Huntington's Disease & Movement Disorders Online Group: Families, friends and professionals affected by HD, Parkinson’s or other movement disorder. LGBT Caring Community Online Support Group: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender caregivers of adults with chronic health problems.	Care recipients looking for information may find it on FCA's website or by calling the hotline. The online groups are not designed for care recipients.	(800) 445-8106	http://www.caregiver.org
Family Caregiving 101	A joint project of the National Family Caregivers Association and the National Alliance for Caregiving that provides online information, resources and advice on topics related to family caregiving, including personal stories from family caregivers and encouragement for caregivers to protect their own physical and mental health.	Anyone	Anyone	__	http://www.familycare giving101.org
Lotsa Helping Hands	An online volunteer coordination service for friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to assist older adults in need. Offers a private group calendar to organize meals delivery, rides, and other caregiving tasks for a loved one.	Anyone	Anyone	__	http://nfca.lotsahelping hands.com
National Center on Caregiving (NCC) at Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)	Offers a national telephone hotline, online resources and printed publications which serve as a central source of information and assistance to family caregivers in every state.	Anyone	Anyone	(800) 445-8106 Available weekdays 9:00am - 5:00pm (Pacific Time)	http://www.caregiver.org
Share the Care	Offers a handbook for family caregivers, friends and neighbors that contains guidelines for developing a support network and coordinating care for older or disabled individuals.	Anyone	Anyone	(646) 467-8097	http://www.sharethe care.org
Strength for Caring	Sponsored by The Caregiver Initiative, Johnson & Johnson, this online resource and community for family caregivers offers articles and advice, including an extensive caregiver manual. Other sections of the site focus on community, health conditions, daily care, housing and money, and insurance.	Anyone	Anyone	__	http://www.strengthfor caring.com
Well Spouse Association	A national, non-profit membership organization that provides support to wives, husbands, and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled through established support groups in communities all over the country.	Any spouse or partner caring for someone who is chronically ill or disabled.	__	(800) 838-0879	http://www.wellspouse.org

Information provided by the Family Caregiver Alliance National Center on Caregiving.

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Services for Family Caregivers

Program

Description

Eligibility

Phone

Website