Family Caregiver Support Program

The Family Caregiver Support Program, created in 2000, supports family and informal (unpaid) caregivers to care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible. It is recognized that caregiving may place a heavy emotional, physical, social, and financial load on caregivers. Many caregivers, over time, may become very vulnerable to decline in their own health. The Family Caregiver Support Program is designed to establish partnerships with caregiver service providers, caregivers, and those who interact with caregivers to leverage resources and improve and expand the available resources/services for caregivers. The purpose is to reduce caregiver stress and burden so they can care for their loved one longer in their home. This program is funded by the Older Americans Act, Title III-E.

Who is eligible?

  • Family caregivers of older adults, age 60 years or older
  • Caregivers of a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder (regardless of age)
  • Grandparents and relative caregivers, age 55 years or older, of children no older than age 18
  • Relative caregivers, age 55 years or older, of an adult child aged 19-59, with a disability (not including natural or adoptive parents) 

Specific Services

  • Information and referral on resources and services in your community
  • Individual counseling to help make decisions in your caregiving role
  • Caregiving training to enhance your role as a caregiver
  • Support groups where you can discuss your experiences in caregiving with others who can help with decision making and problem solving in caregiving situations
  • Respite care that offers a brief break from caregiving by providing short-term substitute support in the home, adult day program or alternate living arrangements for overnight care
  • Other services that complement the caregiver’s duties and help make them easier and safer
  • In some cases, legal assistance, transportation, home modifications, equipment or assistive technology

 
NOTE: Priority for all services is given to persons in greatest social and economic need and older individuals caring for persons with severe disabilities.

You are a Caregiver if You

  • Provide personal care for a love one (such as bathing, dressing, toileting, meal or feeding task, aiding walking/movement)
  • Perform day-to-day tasks for a loved one (errands, shopping, budgeting, medical appointments, home repairs and chores, and transportation)
  • Seek assistance and/or formal services (i.e. hiring or needing someone to stay with your loved one)
  • Consider long-term care or placement (making the decision to place your loved one and then your level of involvement after placement)
  • Are coping with loss (when death, end of life issues, or just a change in the relationship brings about difficult adjustments for you)

Support Groups

Harnett County Department on Aging

  • Family Caregiver Support Group meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 11:00am
  • Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 11:00am

Click here for more information about Harnett County's support groups.

 

Regional Family Caregiver Support Group

Mid-Carolina Regional Family Caregiver Support Group meets at 12:30pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Kiwanis Recreation Center in Fayetteville.

Contact Barbara White, Mid-Carolina Team Member, at (910) 323-4191, ext 28, or bwhite@mccog.org, for more information.

​Powerful Tools for Caregivers

By taking care of your own health and well-being you become a better caregiver. Six class sessions held once a week are led by experienced class leaders. Class participants are given The Caregiver Helpbook to accompany the class and provide additional caregiver resources. The workshop is designed to empower family caregivers of older adults to take better care of themselves. The roles learned in the program benefit caregivers by developing a wealth of self-care strategies to better handle the unique challenges faced by family caregivers. Please note, this class is not for professional caregivers.

Caregivers will learn to:

  • Reduce stress
  • Improve self-confidence
  • Manage time, set goals & solve problems
  • Better communicate feelings
  • Locate resources
  • Make tough decisions

​To set up a class in your area or for more information, contact Barbara White, Mid-Carolina Team Member, at (910) 323-4191, ext 28, or bwhite@mccog.org, for more information.