Family Caregiver

The National Family Caregiver Support Program

The AAA’s Family Caregiver Support Program provides a multifaceted system of support services for family caregivers. The Caregiver Program Specialist works in conjunction with Care Coordinators/Benefits Counselors to provide education, training, peer counseling, caregiver education groups, information to access to community resources and caregiver respite services.

The Program provides:

  • Information to access to community resources and caregiver respite services
  • Individual counseling, support groups, and training to assist caregivers in making decisions and solving problems
  • Respite care to temporarily relieve caregivers of their care-giving duties and responsibilities
  • Limited supplemental services that complement the care provided by caregivers, such as:
  • Adult Day Care
  • Home Delivered Meals
  • Health Maintenance
  • Homemaker/Personal Assistance
  • Institutional Respite (Adult Day Care)
  • Residential Repair
  • Transportation

Caregiving Facts:

Why these resources are needed

  • The most rapid population growth is among people 85 and older with an increasing number of people aged 100 and older needing caregivers.
  • Approximately 43.5 million caregivers provide unpaid care to special need child or adult.
  • More than 1 in 6 caregivers work full-time or part-time jobs with with over 50% working full-time.
  • 20% of the population will be over age 65 by 2030.
  • American business is losing between $ 17.1 billion to $ 33.6 billion per year because of the direct and indirect costs of older caregiving.
  • Families need supportive services.
  • Grandparents raising grandchildren are included as caregivers. A helpful website for grandparents raising grandchildren is: http://www.aarp.org/grandparents

The Following Websites address Caregiver Stress, Resources, Dementia, End of Life Care, Legal Issues, Long-Distance Caregiving:

Family Caregiver Alzheimer’s Education Groups

There are several Education Groups that meet monthly at different locations.

For an up-to-date information, Click Here for a listing of our Monthly Caregivers Newsletter. Select the current months’ newsletter and the information will be under the Monthly Calendar of Events.

Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children – GRRC

There is a grandparent education Group that meets monthly.

For an up-to-date information, Click Here for a listing of our Monthly Caregivers Newsletter. Select the current months’ newsletter and the information will be under the Monthly Calendar of Events.

Children are encouraged to attend & participate in activities

Be informed – sign up on our mailing list to hear about other Support Groups and Outreach events. For additional information contact: Christina Edwardson, 361-883-3935.

These facilitations are provided by: The National Family Caregiver Support Program.

Community Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers

We know caregiving can be stressful, this program will teach:

  • Stress management techniques
  • Relaxation and coping strategies
  • These basic skills can reduce daily stress in your life
  • For family caregivers of a loved one with dementia, program meets 90 minutes each week for 9 weeks for a group of up to 8 people. Confidential, supportive, trained caring facilitators with all materials provided. For additional information contact Christina Edwardson 361-883-3935.

Virtual Dementia Tour

This is an individual educational experience through simulated dementia. A person becomes impaired both physically & cognitively. The experience allows a person to become sensitized to dementia & change their perception of persons with dementia. The times of sessions vary and most will be hosted at the AAA Offices. It is also offered to organizations and companies seeking to better ynderstand the physical and mental challenges of those with dementia. For additional information call Christina Edwardson, 361-883-3935

A Free 4-Hour Care Provider Training/Virtual Dementia Tour Offered Every Other Month

  • Do you have a family member or know someone who has been affected by Dementia?
  • Would you like to know more about the disease process and management?
  • Would you like to be able to interact more effectively with your loved one?
  • Would you like to learn about resources available in the community?
  • Are you a caring person looking for a flexible & rewarding job?
  • Do you want to work as a “Home Care Provider” for the elderly?

FREE 8 hour “Care Provider Training” will teach basic skills to promote “Quality of Care in the Home”

MODULE TOPICS:

  • Roles & Responsibilities of a Care Provider
  • Assisting with Personal Care
  • How to Help someone who uses Adaptive Aid(s)
  • Caring for someone with early to mid stage Alzheimer’s
  • Caring for someone with mid to late stage Alzheimer’s
  • Community Resources

Classes are held the second Wednesday of every other month from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., seating is limited; call to reserve your space *Certificates of completion are awarded. For additional information contact Christiana Edwardson, Caregiver Program Specialist 361-883-3935

Contact Us

Family Caregiver Specialist, Christina Edwardson (361) 232-5150 or at
christinae@cbcogaaa.org