Caregiver Support
Respite Care
Respite Care offers caregivers relief from their care giving tasks and gives them time for themselves. Care may include health or home services provided at home, or a temporary stay in a respite facility that can provide around-the-clock services. This gives a caregiver a break to rest, run errands, take a short vacation, or attend to their own medical care. Services are provided on a sliding fee basis.
For more information or to begin the application process call the Age Information Department at 1-800-892-0890. Elder Services will arrange a home visit with a Respite Care Manager to determine the best service options for the elder and the caregiver.
Elder Care Advisors
Elder Services truly recognizes the importance of family members, friends, professionals and the thousands of caregivers who assist their loved ones every day. When seeking help with activities such as meal preparation, cleaning, shopping, taking medication, arranging transportation, or trying to manage personal finances, an Elder Care Advisor can help you navigate the complex system of public and private care options to determine the best possible choices.
Elder Care Advisors provide information, advice, support and access to a wide variety of services or community programs for older adults, their families, and caregivers to help sustain their efforts of independence.
Elder Care advice is free, and consultation can be provided in the home, at the office or over the phone. Elder care programs, issues or concerns our advisors can help with include, but are not limited to:
- Advocacy efforts related to elder care or any long term care issue
- Assisting with the design, coordination and monitoring of care plans to insure quality
- Caregiver Support and Advice
- Community Services and Programs
- Facilitating Family Conferences
- Health Insurance Counseling
- Housing Options
- Long Term Care Planning
- Needs Assessment to determine Functional Capacity
- Nursing Home Placement
- Public Benefits
Eligibility
Any elder, friend or family member caring for an older adult, over the age of 60 and living in the Merrimack Valley is entitled to the services of an Elder Care Advisor. All consumers, regardless of income, are eligible for an in-home visit.
Cost
There is no cost for Elder Care Advisor consults. However, the elder or family would be responsible for any expenses incurred for direct services if no other payment options exist.
More Information
Direct you inquiry to our Age Information Center at Elder Services - 800-892-0890.
Alzheimer’s Care
Managing the care of an individual diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can be increasingly difficult as the disease progresses. To assist with the care of an Alzheimer’s patient, there are a number of home care services to access. There are also Adult Day Health centers that specialize in providing services specifically for Alzheimer patients and their families.
Elder Services is a member of the Merrimack Valley Alzheimer’s Partnership which provides information, support, and resources to family caregivers. Each spring, the Partnership hosts a day long Alzheimer’s conference, the only event of its kind offered north of Boston. Both professionals and caregivers spend the day learning about the latest research and resources available to help manage this difficult disease. Respite care is available for elder relatives so that families may participate in the conference.
For more information about any of these services or programs contact the Age Information Center at 1-800-892-0890.