What is this program?

It's ironic but many people spend so much time caring for a loved one they don't recognize themselves as being a caregiver. So, if you know you are a caregiver and are seeking answers to questions, you're already on the right track.

• Seniors taking care of their spouses.

• Children or grandchildren taking care of their parents or grandparents.

• Neighbors or friends taking care of older adults living down the street.

• Grandparents taking care of grandchildren.

The term "caregiver" refers to anyone who provides assistance to someone else who needs it. This person in need could be a husband who has Alzheimer's disease, a mother with cancer or a friend or neighbor who has suffered a stroke.

It is important to know that family caregiving is very common, especially among baby boomers whose parents are beginning to experience chronic health problems. An AARP study indicated that most members of the baby boomer generation (54%) currently care for children, parents, or both.

Most often a caregiver is a woman but there are an increasing number of men who are fulfilling this role as well. Many caregivers live with or near to the person for whom they provide care; other caregivers may be living in another city or state. Regardless, caregivers are very concerned individuals who want and need to know what kind of help is "out there" for them and older family members and friends.

What is this program?

Amendments in 2000 to the Older Americans Act established – for the first time – the National Family Caregiver Support Program. As part of the program, Illinois was given $4.7 million to develop the Caregiver Support Program. This program is being developed by the Illinois Department on Aging in partnership with Area Agencies on Aging and local community-service providers, to develop basic services for family caregivers, including...

• To provide information to family caregivers about available services;

• To provide assistance to family caregivers in gaining access to services;

• To lead family caregivers to individual counseling, support groups or caregiver training;

• To lead family caregivers to respite care to enable them to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities; and

• To provide supplemental services on a limited basis, to complement the care provided by family caregivers.

Eligibility

Who is eligible for such services?

The Illinois Caregiver Support Program defines a family caregiver as...

• An adult family member or another individual who is an informal provider of in-home and community care to an older individual.

And as . . .

• Grandparents and relative caregivers of children not more than eighteen years of age including grandparents who are sole caregivers of grandchildren and those individuals who are affected by mental retardation or who have developmental disabilities. See Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

Services

Where can I find out about services nearest to me?

Here are some frequently asked questions by caregivers...

• What is a Caregiver Resource Center? Where can I find one?
  Caregiver Resource Centers page.
  

• Where can I find answers to questions about the new Medicare prescription drug benefit?
  Link to Social Security: Help with Prescription Drug Costs.
  

• Where can I find help with assistive or home modification devices (such as ramps, grab bars, hand rails, wheel chairs, or walkers)?
  Inquire at your local Caregiver Resource Center or your local Area Agency on Aging.
  

• Where can I find a place which takes care of seniors during the day?
  View the Adult Day Service information on the Coummunity Care Program page. Also, inquire at your local Caregiver Resource Center about adult day service in your community.
  

• Where can I find a place which takes care of seniors during evenings or weekends?
  Inquire at your local Caregiver Resource Center about respite care.
  

• Where can I find assistance with household or daily chores (such as grocery shopping, meal preparation, laundry)?
  See the Community Care Program page.
  

• How can I start getting home delivered meals for an older adult?
  See the Nutrition Programs page.
  

• Where can I get help with legal issues for older adults?
  See the Legal Services page.
  

• Where can I get information on support groups? Are there any in my area?
  To locate support groups for caregivers who are caring for older people, inquire at your local Caregiver Resource Center. A list of support groups for grandparents who are raising grandchildren can be found in the Directory of Agencies and Organizations Serving Seniors.
  

• Where can I find information on dealing with stress in a caregiving situation?
  Talk to someone at your local Caregiver Resource Center.
  

• Where can I find information on caring for seniors with specific illnesses (such as Alzheimer’s/Dementia, diabetes, or a stroke)?
  Inquire at your local Caregiver Resource Center on dealing with specific illnesses.
  

• What is a care coordinator? How can I get a care coordinator to help me access services?
  See the Care Coordination page. Also, inquire at your local Caregiver Resource Center about case management services in your community.
  

• What is a Senior Center? Where can I find one?
  See the Senior Centers page.
  

• Where can I find employment opportunities for older adults?
  See the Senior Community Service Employment Program page.
  

• What is Medicaid / Medicare? Where can seniors get help?
  Inquire at your local Caregiver Resource Center for information on these services. In addition, see the Income/Insurance/Health Care Costs section of the "Resources" page.
  

• Where do I call if I am not satisfied with the services I am receiving?
  Contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
  

• Where do I go if I need help paying for services?
  See the Community Care Program page and contact your local Caregiver Resource Center for more information.
  

• How can I get services for an older relative if I do not live in Illinois?
  Contact a Caregiver Resource Center located near your relative's home and inquire about services. You may also contact the Illinois Department on Aging Senior HelpLine or a national information and assistance service.
  

• How can I get training and/or education on caregiving issues?
  Inquire at your local Caregiver Resource Center for educational opportunities available to you.
  

• How can I get information on what services are available in my area of the state?
  Your local Caregiver Resource Center can provide this information.
  

• Where can I get help with transportation services?
  See the Transportation Services page.
  

• Where can I get information about long term care (such as nursing homes, skilled living facilities, or assisted living)?
  Inquire at your local Caregiver Resource Center. In addition, see the Housing and Nursing Homes section of the "Resources" page.
  

• What can I do if I just need a couple hours for myself or my family?
  Inquire at your local Caregiver Resource Center about respite care.
  

• What do I do if I need services right now?
  Contact the Department on Aging Senior HelpLine or your local Area Agency on Aging to find the best option for your situation.

Ask Us a Question

The Illinois Aging Network is available to provide information on services for caregivers, which of them are availabe near you, and to help find answers to questions you may have. For more information on the Illinois Family Caregiver Support Program and its services, contact...

• your local Caregiver Resource Center, which has been established to answer your questions;

• your local Area Agency on Aging; or

• the Department on Aging Senior HelpLine.

To locate community services anywhere in the U.S., contact a national information and assistance service.