This federally funded program is giving a helping hand to more than 7 million family members caring for parents, spouses, children, and other loved ones throughout the United States.

The Jefferson Council on Aging is very happy that, for the first time, federal aging money is acknowledging the role of the Caregiver. According to a National survey by Duke University, family and friends care for 65% of older Americans who live at home and need assistance. Another 30 percent also have some paid help, while only 5 percent rely completely on paid assistants. Family caregivers provide an average of 30 hours of paid care each week. Half are age 65 or older, and another third are between the ages of 45 and 64. Almost 25 percent are caring for spouses. Family caregivers risk becoming secondary victims of their relatives' illnesses. Care giving is a balancing act. One can only stretch oneself so far. The stress of care giving can create health problems.

The various services that are provided in Jefferson Parish  are:
§ Information and assistance and public education

§ Individual Counseling and Training for Caregivers

§ Respite care (both in home and institutional)

§ Supplemental services such as personal care and material aid(adult diapers and nutritional supplement)

The client is the caregiver and he or she must qualify for the program under the following criteria:

§ Adult family member, or another individual, who provides uncompensated in-home and community care to an older individual who needs supportive services

§ A senior who is the caregiver for another senior who needs supportive services

§ A senior who is caring for a developmentally disabled child under the age of 19 or a child who is determined to be functionally impaired because the child either; is unable to perform at least two activities of daily living without substantial human assistance, including verbal reminding, physical cueing, or supervision; or due to a cognitive or other mental impairment, requires substantial supervision because the individual behaves in a manner that poses a serious health or safety hazard to the individual or to another individual.

Jefferson Council on Aging, Inc. provides two newsletters for caregivers: The Comfort of Home™ Caregiver Assistance News and The Comfort of Home™ Caregivers-Let's Take Care of You!

There is limited funding for this program so emphasis is on older individuals with greatest economic and social need. Please call the Jefferson Council on Aging at 504-888-5880 or 800-635-1437 for more information on the program.

Family Caregiver Internet Resources:

1. Alzheimer's Association – A national organization for persons with Alzheimer's Disease and their caregivers. 1-800-272-3900 www.alz.org
2. American Academy of Home Care Physicians - Provides a nationwide listing of physicians who do house calls. www.aahcp.org
3. American Medical Association - Has a Caregiver Assessment. www.ama-assn.org
4. American Stroke Association – A Division of the American Heart Association that provides information, education and support for persons with stroke and their caregivers 1-888-478-7653 www.americanstroke.org
5. Benefits CheckUp - Sponsored by the National Council on the Aging, a free, easy-to-use service that identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans. www.benefitscheckup.org
6. Children of Aging Parents (CAPS) - The oldest caregiving organization offering information and referrals, support groups, educational outreach, speaker's bureau and publications. 1-800-227-7294 www.caps4caregivers.org
7. ElderIssues.- A new service offering on line care management with secure centralized information storage and various levels of privacy access. www.elderissues.com
8. Eldercare Locator - Helps to find services, facilities and respite in specific areas. 1-800-677-1116 www.eldercare.gov
9. Elder Law Answers - Strives to provide clear information about issues of concern and to help consumers find the most appropriate attorney. www.elderlawanswers.com
10. Family Caregiver Alliance - A comprehensive information resource about long-term care. 415-434-3388 www.caregiver.org
11. Family Voices - For parents caring for children with special needs. 1-888-835-5669 www.family.org
12. Living Will Registry - A free service to securely store and access your living will. 1-800-548-9455 www.uslivingwillregistry.com
13. National Alliance for Caregiving - An organization created in support of family caregivers of the elderly and the parties who serve them. 301-718-8444 www.caregiving.org
14. National Association for Continence - An organization dealing with the gamut of incontinence issues and support. 864-579-7900 www.nafc.org
15. National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) - Free membership for all family caregivers including a toll-free advisory service, information, education, publications and advocacy. 1-800-896-3650 www.nfcacares.org
16. National Respite Locator - A service to help parents, caregivers, and professionals find respite services in their state and local area. The service is also useful when a family travels or must move to another state. 1-800-773-5433 www.respitelocator.org
17. RxList - Provides consumer information on drugs and alternative medicines www.rxlist.com
18. The Medicine Program - Helps with medications for people with financial hardship. 1-573-778-1118 www.themedicineprogram.com
19. Well Spouse Foundation - The international support organization for wives, husbands and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled. 1-800-838-0879 www.wellspouse.org
20. Veterans Administration - Department of Veterans Affairs includes caregiver benefits, facilities and programs. www.va.gov

VIA LINK – Local (Greater New Orleans Area) information and assistance organization that provides 24 hour resource information to enable persons to help themselves and others. Dial 211 or (504) 269-2673 or (800) 749-2673.www.vialink.org

Other Resourceful Websites for the Caregiver

Caregiver Handbook

Issues and interests of contemporary adults caring for aging parents

National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)

The National Institute on Aging helpful tips for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's Disease

Elder Law Answers
online web site dedicated to providing consumers with clear information on issues of concern to seniors and their families

Caregiver Site

Provides information from National Council on Aging on public assistance programs including Social Security, Medicaid, food stamps and in-home services.
Endorsed by President George Bush.

National Eldercare Locator
directory of state and area agencies that deal with the aging

Louisiana Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP Program)
Counselors offer advisory information only and do not make decisions for clients. All information shared with a counselor is kept strictly confidential. They offer information and answer questions on:

• Supplemental and Long Term Care
• Insurance Policy Comparison
• Assistance with Claims
• Medicare-contracted Health Maintenance Organizations
• Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
• Medicare Appeals Process

The Comfort of Home
The Place for Easy-to-Read Caregiver Training and Support Materials in Multiple Languages.