Caregiver Support / Care Coordination
Caregiver Support
The Caregiver Support Program offers support and respite for families and friends caring for adults older than 60. If caregiving responsibilities are affecting someone’s work, health, social life or family life, the Caregiver Support Program can help. In-home support services for care receivers are available on a short-term, limited basis. Care coordinators evaluate the needs of care receivers and caregivers for assistance.
Caregiver Support Eligibility
Residents within CAPCOG’s 10-county region may be eligible for respite through the Caregiver Support Program when they are one of the following:
- The primary caregiver for an adult 60 or older.
- The primary caregiver for an individual of any age with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or a disease-related dementia.
- The nonparental caregiver – 55 or older – for an adult with severe disabilities.
- A grandparent or other nonparent relative – 55 or older – with formal or informal custody of a relative child or children aged 18 or younger.
Caregiver Support Services
- Full assessment of the caregiving situation.
- Information about services and support to meet caregiving needs.
- Assistance in making a long-range caregiving plan.
- Arrangement of support services, which may include
- Respite Care – provision for a brief rest or relief from caregiving responsibility.
- Emergency Response System.
- Adaptive equipment for personal safety (not covered by another source).
Important Note: All services are short-term, temporary and provided at no charge. Contributions toward the cost of the services are encouraged and welcomed. To qualify or find out more information about this program contact AAACAP by phone 512-916-6062 or 888-622-9111, ext. 6062.
Caregiver Coordination
The Care Coordination Program assists older adults, those who are 60 years and older, who were recently hospitalized or suffered a health crisis and reside in 10-county region. The program provides short-term services to help clients to remain independent and make future plans. Care coordinators will complete an assessment to identify client needs and develop an individual care plan. Arrangement for appropriate services and their follow up is managed by an assigned care coordinator. The program provides assistance for those older adults who are without the financial resources to pay the total cost of needed care. A care coordinator assesses a person’s needs, then links clients to in-home services on a temporary, short-term basis.
Care Coordination Services may include:
- Homemaker services
- Limited personal assistance
- Durable medical equipment not accessed through Medicare
- Emergency Response System
- Other services can address needs identified by assessment and care planning
Important note: All services are short-term, temporary and are provided at no charge. Contributions toward the cost of the service are encouraged and welcome. To submit a care coordination referral call 512-916-6062, email a Care Coordination Referral Form to [email protected], or fax to 512-916-6042.
Medication Screening
The Senior Medication Safety Program helps adults 60 and older and elder caregivers reduce the risk of negative medication interactions, reactions and related problems. The Area Agency on Aging partners with selected pharmacists, who review participants’ medications, supplements and vitamins and provide a written report on when and how to take the products or what special precautions to consider. Consumers can additionally opt for a phone consultation.
The free program requires just a short survey before and after the screening. Why does it matter? Medication errors can cause serious health problems and billions in hospital and long-term care costs. Though preventable, they’re frequent and account for an estimated 7,000 deaths a year. AAA’s Medication Screening Program, also available for caregivers of older adults, not only reviews medications for potential actions but additionally offers the following:
- Review of costs to determine whether less expensive options exist.
- Review of medication effectiveness.
- Review of safety precautions.
Schedule a screening today by calling 512-916-6062, or download the medication screening application and submit it by mail to the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area, 6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 165, Austin, TX 78744.