The Caregiver’s Resource Center and Alzheimer’s Support Unit of the Office for the Aging is designed to help caregivers provide quality care for older adults and persons with disabilities while also maintaining the quality of their own lives and the lives of their family members.
Services of the Caregiver's Resource Center include:
Information, Referral and Counseling
Individual assistance in determining your needs, referrals to meet those needs, and how to cope with the stresses of caregiving. Learn more about our Caregiver's Resource Center--stop by or visit our webpage today.
Support Groups
Caregiver support groups occasionally meet at the Office for the Aging. Referrals are made to other local support groups as needed.
Newsletter
Call (607) 274-5486 to get on our mailing list to start receiving a free subscription to In Support of Caregivers, a quarterly newsletter with articles and announcements of interest to family caregivers. The Caregiver's Resource Center also maintains a resource and lending library for community members and professionals. To view recent editions of In Support of Caregivers, click here.
Workshops and Classes
Workshops on caregiving are offered periodically. For information on dates and locations, please call (607) 274-5486. Workshop titles have included:
- Powerful Tools for Caregivers Classes
- Caring for yourself
- Communication skills
- Community resources
- Dementia
- Depression and aging
- Introduction to caring for your aging parents
- Medical problems of aging
- Psychological aspects of aging
Alzheimer's Support Unit
The Caregiver's Resource Center provides information and support to caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia at all stages of disease. Articles and pamphlets on various issues of concern to caregivers are available, in addition to the books and videos on dementia caregiving, in the lending library. Dementia Caregiving trainings are scheduled periodically. Telephone support from ex-caregivers of persons with dementia is available in addition to the support groups and consultation available with staff.
Caregiver Respite and Support Through Project CARE
The Office for the Aging's Project CARE is a program which provides in-home support to family caregivers as well as direct help to frail, homebound seniors. Volunteers of the Project Care Program provide assistance in a variety of ways, helping with one or more of the following activities:
- friendly visiting
- errands
- grocery shopping
- light housekeeping
- light yardwork
- respite for caregivers
Volunteers may stay with a frail senior so that the caregiver can take a walk, do an errand or simply read a book! In addition, Project CARE is sometimes able to pay for weekly respite service provided through an area home care agency. Small grants may also be available for short-term (temporary) respite--to help fund substitute care so that a stressed family caregiver can get away for a few days. These grants are intended for caregivers who would otherwise find it difficult to afford the respite care--whether at home or a respite stay in a facility.