Berks County Office of Aging - Family Caregiver Support Program

Seniors Helping Seniors

Family Caregiver Support Program

Seniors Helping Seniors

The Family Caregiver Support Program is designed to provide assistance to persons caring for an older family member living in the same home - to reduce caregiver stress and reinforce the care being provided to older persons at home. This is done through family-centered benefits counseling, caregiver education, linking caregivers with service providers, and through the provision of limited financial assistance for the purchase of items and services needed to enhance the caregiver role. Assistance may also be provided to eligible caregivers in making modifications and adaptation to the home to ease the burden and stress of caregiving.

Barbara Coffin, executive director of Berks County Office Of Aging, states, "This unusual program helps access financial assistance and makes the care giving role easier. The office of aging’s wide network of services tailors the program to meet individual’s needs."

Eligibility

The caregiver must be providing care to a family member who is 60 years of age or older. (Persons under 60 years of age who meed the definition for chronic dementia may also be eligible.)
The caregiver and care-receiver must reside in the same household.
The care-receiver must be functionally dependent, either physically or mentally, and require daily care or supervision.

Services

Based on the financial situation of the family household, the caregiver is eligible to receive:

Complete assessment of the needs of the caregiver, the care-receiver, and the home environment.
Benefits counseling for services available through local, state, and federal programs.
Counseling for caregiver stress.
Education and skills training for the caregiver.
Assistance in completing forms for state and federal programs.
Support groups.
Financial reimbursement for the purchase of personal care, respite, and home management services.
Financial assistance to purchase home adaptation/assistive devices for the home to ease the burden and stress of caregiving.

For more information about the Berks County Office of Aging's Family Caregiver Support Program please call (610) 478-6500 or e-mail us at aging@countyofberks.com or visit the Berks County Office of Aging, County Services Center, 633 Court Street, Reading, Pa 19601-4303.