Pennsylvania's Family Caregiver Support Program directly responds to families who want to care for an older relative in their homes. Its purpose is to reinforce - not replace - the care being provided to frail family members in the caregiver's home.

The Family Caregiver Program

The Family Caregive Program offers the following services:

• Advice and counseling in which caregivers are told of the services that are available to them.
• Through a cost sharing approach, families may receive financial assistance to help them out of pocket expenses ranging from respite care to paying for adult briefs.
• Modifications can be made to the home such as installing stair climbs, building ramps, or modifying the bathroom. Up to $2,000.00 in assistance can be given to families who qualify so that they can make the home more livable for the frail relative.

An important feature of the Caregiver Support Program is that it allows the caregiver to choose the service most needed to help care for the older relative at home. To receive the Family Caregiver Support Program Newsletter, please call (717)-780-6130.

Cost Shared Expenses

The Family Caregiver Support Program is the first program of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to provide financial assistance with essential purchases. In addition to the basic services offered at no cost to families, financial assistance is available on a cost sharing basis to help families with out-of-pocket care-giving expenses. Amounts are determined by actual expenses and family income. Established income guidelines are at a level which enables more middle income families to participate.

Benefits & Services for Caregivers

• Assessment of caregiver and care recipient needs
• Counseling on coping skills
• Respite Care
• Training in care-giving skills
• Home chore care-giving skills
• Financial assistance to purchase supplies of services
• One-time grant for home adaptations and durable goods
• Benefits counseling on services available through local, state, and federal programs
• Referrals to family support or diseases specific organizations such as Children of Aging Parents or the Alzheimer's Disease & Related Disorders Association
• Assistance in completing benefits and insurance forms

To apply for the Family Caregiver Support Program, please contact the Area Agency on Aging at (717)-780-6130.