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Being a caregiver
Nearly everyone will b e a caregiver at some point in life, and nearly everyone will need a little help providing that care. Being responsible for someone else can feel overwhelming, especially if the role is unexpected or interferes with job responsibilities. The is why Wisconsin offers family members and other informal caregivers access to programming and education that can make being a caregiver more manageable. Here are a couple caregiver support programs we have to offer.
National Family Caregiver Program provides services and supports that help family caregivers and informal caregivers, such as a neighbor or friend, care for elder adults at home. The NFCSP is available to any person providing care to an adult age 60 or over. There is no income limit, however, low-income individuals are prioritized. The program offers information about available services, assistance with gaining access to services, individual counseling to deal with depression or stress, caregiver support groups, training on providing safe and proper in-home care, and temporary respite services, such as help making minor home modifications or providing adaptive equipment that allows a person to remain living safely at home.
Alzheimer's Family Caregiver Program was created in response to the stress and needs of families caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or other irreversible dementia. The purpose of the AFCSP is to make an array of community services available to families in hop of enhancing lives and keeping people in their homes as long as possible. Typical goods and services include, Respite Care or home care services (personal care assistance, meal prep, homemaker services, yard work and snow removal, etc.), transportation expenses, home-delivered meals, home safety modifications, activity or hobby supplies, Lifeline, books and other resources to help the caregiver learn more about the disease and other services that are needed to help. The program requires a diagnosis from a physician and there is an income limit of $48,000 per year; however, cost related to the individuals care can be deducted.
On the third Tuesday of the month there is a Caregiver Support Group that meets at the Crandon Library (lower level) from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
To register for these meetings, please call Debbie Wendorf @ 1-800-699-6704.
