Caregiving can be physically demanding, emotionally exhausting, and often overwhelming. Although caregiving spans all ages, the majority of caregivers support older adults. 79% of the estimated 53 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. provide care for someone 50 or older (National Alliance for Caregiving, 2020). That’s why the Council on Aging of Central Oregon offers support programs, expert guidance, and referrals to help family members, partners, friends, and other unpaid caregivers navigate the challenges of caregiving.
Family caregiver resources include:
- Information about and access to services and resources.
- Our caregiver support groups provide a space for participants to connect, share experiences, and access valuable resources.
- You can also access our list of additional caregiver support groups here: www.councilonaging.org/family-caregiver-support-groups
- Unpaid family caregivers can apply for annual respite grants of $500 to $1,000 to help cover short-term care. Funds can be used to hire a caregiver of your choice, whether a family member, friend, spouse, neighbor, or professional, or for temporary stays in an assisted living facility or adult foster care. Signing up is easy and a Social Security number is not required.
Who is eligible for respite grants?
- A family caregiver who is 18 years or older caring for a person age 60+; or a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia of any age.
- A parent or older relative caregiver age 55+ who lives with, and is the primary caregiver for, an individual with disabilities age 18 or older.
- An older relative caregiver (other than a parent) age 55+ who lives with and is the primary caregiver for a child aged 18 or younger.
