Caregivers continue to be a critically important resource to the lives of older people. We recognize this by providing caregivers with helpful, useful advice and information to help them perform and excel in their special role. Caregivers account for 10% of our clients in 2009 and the number is growing! Questions from caregivers are frequently about various income and medical assistance that might be available, powers of attorney for financial affairs and healthcare, long term care and estate planning. Our ability to refer caregivers to a network of specialized legal and non-legal resources is extremely beneficial to provide fast and friendly information to solve the problems of those they are caring for. Take advantage of our online Toolkits and legal information.
"Professional yet compassionate and very helpful! A lifeline in taking care of my sisters ultimate permanent placement in a nursing home." --Hotline client
At the Hotline, we are careful to safeguard the privacy as well as the personal safety of all of our clients, including those assisted by a representative acting as a caregiver. For this reason we require the caregiver to be authorized by a court (e.g. as a Guardian) or by the person they are caring for through a power of attorney. A caregiver is always allowed to speak to one of our attorneys with the verbal permission of the person they are assisting.
Caregivers can call the hotline at 1-800-347-5297.
Be sure to check out this new resource for caregivers in Michigan:
- www.familycaregiving101.org/team5
- AARP's Prepare to Care Guide
- Tough Decisions: Providing Care for Aging Parents and Relatives
A Message from Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee on National Family Caregivers Month, November 2009
I join President Obama in celebrating National Family Caregivers month. Every day, in every state and community caregivers assist friends, relatives, and loved ones with daily tasks, including personal care and homemaking as well as more complex health-related interventions like medication administration and wound care. These selfless, dedicated individuals are the backbone of America's long term care system.
The Administration on Aging (AoA) is firmly committed to supporting family caregivers. Caregivers across the lifespan must have access to services and supports designed to safeguard their health and emotional well being while offering protections against some of the financial burdens often associated with caregiving. Additionally, caregivers must have access to coordinated systems of services and supports designed to meet their needs at the time they arise.
The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and the recent implementation of the Lifespan Respite Care Program have positioned AoA, the Aging Network and the broader home and community-based services network to ensure that caregivers are supported in their daily efforts to keep their loved ones at home, in the community and avoid more costly and restrictive institutional settings. I am committed to working with our Aging Network and other partners at the Federal, state and local levels to improve the quality of life for our nation's caregivers across the lifespan.
I encourage all of you to participate in the numerous events across the country to celebrate and acknowledge the selfless dedication and commitment of family caregivers.
To read the Presidential proclamation, please click here