Caregiver Support Services
Caregiving simply means the act of helping another person who is not able to care for themselves. This can be temporary or ongoing, and the level of care needed may change over time. This care can be physical, emotional, financial or any combination.
The majority of care is provided through unpaid assistance by family caregivers which includes relatives, partners, neighbors, and friends. In-home or respite funds may be available for those who qualify.
Caregivers are empowered in their role when they are aware of and can connect to available resources. It is also helpful to understand the unique health issues of the individual they are assisting.
For further information contact (804) 343-3000 and ask for Caregiver Support.
Respite
The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program (VLRVP) provides reimbursement vouchers to Virginia primary caregivers for the cost of temporary, short-term respite care provided to individuals, of any age, with a documented disability or medical condition. This can help reduce the strain on caregivers so they can continue to provide care for their loved ones. The goal of this program is to enhance access and reduce barriers to respite care, as well as enhance education and awareness about respite care.
Area Advocates
Click below for a listing of support personnel within each area that can serve as a collaborator in helping meet the needs of older adults and/or persons with disabilities.
Click below for a listing of multiple websites beneficial to those providing care to others.
Support Groups
There are multiple support group options for caregivers. Click on the link below for more information.
Training Opportunities
Uclaheath.org Educational Videos
Uclahealth.org contains seven brief video segments plus an introduction from Alzheimer’s activist Patti Davis, the daughter of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Each video features a problematic behavior with the following general format:
- Behavior of person with dementia with the usual caregiver response
- Expert analysis and explanation of behavior with tips to identify and eliminate triggers and suggestions for redirection
- Response of caregiver showing tips in action
Caring for You, Caring for Me
About the Caring for You, Caring for Me Program:
This five week program is divided into 2 hours and 15 minute sessions per week and covers:
⦁ Effective coping with caregiver stress and strain
⦁ Ways to access available resources
⦁ How to work in partnership with the care receiver
⦁ Sharing common concerns with other caregivers
⦁ Best practices related to behavioral issues
This program is provided at no cost and is intended for Professional and/or Family Caregivers who are providing support and assistance to another person with a long term illness or disabilities.
We are hoping to start a session in January, and need at least 10 participants in order to begin the program.
To register call Senior Connections at 804.343.3000.
For more information contact Dee Caras at dcaras@youraaa.org
Or go to www.rosalynncarter.org
Family Caregiving How-To Video Series
The “How-To” videos and resource guides for family caregivers are on specific medical/nursing tasks – including preparing special diets, managing incontinence, wound care, mobility, and managing medications. The videos and resource guides, many of which are available in both English and Spanish, are free of charge.
Caring for You: Mind, Body and Soul Online Learning Series
The Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging and Lifelong Health is proud to offer "Caring for You: Mind, Body and Soul," an educational course at no cost for caregivers of individuals with memory loss, including Alzheimer's disease. This new program consists of 10 short and imformative lessons. Participants will benefit from:
Learning new skills and tools to increase self-care and confidence as a caregiver
A fully online course with lessons accessible at anytime from anywhere without scheduling or leaving home.
Microlearning, allowing caregivers to learn information in brief bursts (five to 10 minutes) that they can apply quickly to their demanding lives.
To access the course click on Learn More