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The North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging has a broad range of support services for family caregivers, including support coordination, respite care, information, education, and counseling.
Eligibility Criteria
The caregiver cannot be paid for his/her services;
Either the caregiver or care receiver must live in Collin, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell or Wise County;
The caregiver must:
care for someone who is at least 60 years of age; OR
care for someone of any age who has Alzheimer’s or a related dementia:
be at least 55 years of age and have primary custody of a grandchild, step-grandchild, or other relative (other than child) who is age 18 or younger; OR
be at least 55 years of age, live with, and care for a relative aged 19-59 who has disabilities
Some programs, such as caregiver support coordination, have additional eligibility criteria.
Caregiver Support Coordination
Caregiver Support Coordination provides temporary help to those who care for family members. The program’s case managers assess the needs of family caregivers and arrange services that support their goals. These services include respite care, minor home modifications (like building wheelchair ramps and installing grab bars), leasing emergency response devices, and buying health-related goods and supplies not covered by insurance.
The program gives priority to caregivers who care for someone who is living with dementia; needs help with two or more activities of daily living; and/or has been hospitalized within the last four weeks. It also gives priority to family caregivers who have had to cut back on work hours because of care responsibilities; have experienced physical/emotional problems because of care responsibilities; care for someone who has no other support; and/or and live in the same home with the person who needs care.
Visit the Area Agency on Aging Referrals page to access screening criteria and referral forms for Caregiver Support Coordination services, as well as criteria for the Care Coordination program. You can also call 800-272-3921 to get more information or to make a referral.
Caregiver Respite
The Caregiver Respite program gives family caregivers a temporary break from their caregiving responsibilities. It issues vouchers to caregivers so they can make arrangements with providers they trust. The standard one-time benefit is $800, which can be used all at once or gradually over a three-month period.
Caregiver Information, Education, and Counseling Services
Agencies that receive funding through the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging for caregiver information, education, and counseling services include:
Alzheimer’s Associations of Dallas/Northeast Texas and North Central Texas. The chapters provide education and support to people with dementia and family caregivers. Call the Helpline at 1-800-272-3900.
James L. West Center for Dementia Care offers four training programs: Dealing with Dementia, Stress-Busting for Family Caregivers, Dementia Live, and Compassionate Touch. Call 817-877-1199 for more information.
Mascari Corporation coordinates workshops on various topics of interest to older adults and family caregivers. Email marty@ntads.net for more information.
Meal on Wheels Senior Services coordinates caregiver seminars and an annual conference.
The Senior Source offers virtual and live conferences.
The Wellness Center provides individual and group counseling for family caregivers at its Plano office.
Family Caregivers Online is a source of online education and resources developed and maintained by Z-Quest.
The WellMed Charitable Foundation’s Caregiver Teleconnection programming provides education and support to family caregivers.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program provides temporary assistance to grandparents who have primary custody of grandchildren aged 18 and younger. The program’s case managers assess the needs of grandparents and arrange services that support their goals. These services include respite vouchers that can be used for daycare or summer camp, help with back-to-school clothing and supplies, and benefits counseling.
The program gives priority to grandparents who care for grandchildren who are medically fragile or have special needs; care for more than one person (i.e. grandchild, elderly family member, disabled adult); have had a hospitalization within the last four weeks, and/or have experienced physical problems because of their care responsibilities; care for grandchildren who have no other support—either paid or unpaid; and/or have income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level ($1,882 for an individual, or $2,554 for a couple).
Visit the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging referrals page to access screening criteria and referral forms for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren services. You can also call 800-272-3921 to get more information or make a referral.
Caregivers of People with Dementia
North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging coordinates Dementia Friendly North Central/Texas, which supports people with memory loss and their family caregivers. Call 800-272-3921. Tambien hablamos español.
Source: Doni Green, Director of Aging Programs, North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging. Phone: 800-272-3921
We hope this information is helpful to you in the important work you do as a family caregiver.
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