Why Is Proper Care of the Elderly such an Urgent Problem Today?
The national median age of people in the United States has been increasing for decades. According to the Census Bureau, the median age was 38.8 years as of June 30, 2022. That was an increase of 3.4 years since 2000 and shows that the U.S. population is getting older overall. Because of our increasingly aging population, effective caregiving options for the elderly are essential. The bottom line is that we need more and better systems to take care of older individuals as they continue to age.
What Is the Family Caregiver Support Program?
If you are caring for an elderly family member or loved one, you may qualify for support from a family caregiver support program. This program offers Respite services and other resources—such as support groups for caregivers—that can help you provide the best care for your loved one. The goal of this program is to provide help for family caregivers of senior citizens.
What Are the Requirements for the Program?
The East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging has one requirement for this program:
- The caregiver or care recipient must be at least 60 years of age.
How Do I Apply for a Home Caregiver Assistance?
Caring for the elderly can take a lot of time and energy, and to provide the type of care that your loved one needs, you may not be able to work another job, and that means a lack of income. Respite service is an option under the Family Caregiver Program. This program allows the Caregiver to hire someone, of their choosing, to provide respite service to their loved one. This allows the Caregiver to have a break from providing care.
Where Do I Apply for a Caregiver Assistance?
Caregivers can inquire about the Family Caregiver program by calling or emailing the Agency Directly under Support Groups counties.
You can apply virtually and never leave your home. Apply through the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging.
What are Family Caregiver Support Groups?
If you are a family caregiver, you may be wondering what options are available to you regarding support. Caring for an elderly family member is tiring, and it can be easy to overdo it and burn yourself out. But luckily, there are plenty of support groups that can help you get the relief you need so you can continue in your caretaking role.
What Do the Support Groups Do?
A family caregiver support group is a great resource for caregivers. These groups can help family caregivers network and get a break from their day-to-day responsibilities. The goal of a family caregiver support group is to provide support and relief for family caregivers so that they can continue to perform their responsibilities without burning out.
Where Do I Find These Support Groups?
You can find these types of support groups all over the country. But if you happen to live in Arkansas, you will want to contact the East Area Agency on Aging for the Arkansas county you live in. The agency operates in twelve different counties in East Arkansas.
What Are the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the Family Caregiver Support Program?
The basic goal of the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) and smaller family caregiver support programs is to provide much-needed support and help for family caregivers of senior citizens. The NFCSP provides five types of services and other family caregiver support programs, such as Arkansas' family caregiver support, financial assistance, and support groups for caregivers.
How Do I Apply for a Caregiver Support Program?
If you are wondering how to apply for a caregiver support program, you may want to visit East Area Agency on Aging for assistance and resources. However, when it comes to the National Family Caregiver Support Program, you must visit the Administration for Community Living website to assess your eligibility and receive support.
Conclusion
If you are caring for an elderly family member, you may consider reaching out for support. Taking care of the older people we love can be tiring, and without the right kind of support, you may experience burnout and feel unable to continue. For caregivers living in East Arkansas, you can reach out to the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging to find out what support you may be eligible for and where you can find a support group for caregivers like yourself.
