Charles County is pleased to offer services which provide support to family caregivers under the National Family Caregivers Support Program (Title III, Part E of the Older Americans Act). The intent of the program is to provide a light level of support for those persons who have already committed themselves to providing care to a family member. The program is not intended to be a substitute for long term care services, but merely to help fill the gaps or alleviate a portion of the emotional and financial burden associated with informal caregiving of loved ones. Those who need a higher level of support are encouraged to contact the Aging Division to discuss additional services and options for comprehensive care.

The Family and Caregiver and Support Program includes:

• Information and outreach to caregivers about available services. Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services and working with caregivers to coordinate a plan of consumer-directed, community-based care. Caregiver training to assist caregivers with obtaining the latest information and skills for providing good care to older adults, including mechanisms for maintaining self-care, laws surrounding the employment of others to provide care, and knowing when to seek outside assistance from professionals or specialists in the field of caregiving in order to solve problems related to caregiver needs and roles.

• Caregiver counseling/support groups–A caregiver support group meets at 2:00 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month at the Richard R. Clark Senior Center in La Plata. Other resources which offer caregiver support groups and individual counseling include: the Alzheimers Association, and other private and non-profit organizations.

Financial Assistance may be available for the following services:

• Respite care to enable caregivers to receive temporary relief from their caregiving responsibilities. Persons needing long-term services or additional hours are encouraged to apply for other programs and services offered by the Aging Division and other county organizations.

• Supplemental Services to complement the care provided by caregivers and fill gaps which may develop while waiting for long-term benefits or services. These services will be limited to persons who need one-time-only or short-term benefits in the form of supplies, durable medical equipment, prescription assistance, or similar services. Efforts will be made to secure alternative sources for services if long term needs exist. Caregivers of any age are eligible to receive services under this program when: the person cared for is a resident of Charles County and at least 60 years old; or a caregiver is a resident of Charles County who is at least 55 years old and is the primary caregiver for children who are under the age of 18 (e.g., custodial grandparents raising young children); or caregivers of a person with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder (regardless of age).

• Priority for funded services will be given to persons who are financially needy.