National Family Caregiver Support Program

Eligibility

The National Family Caregiver Support program provides in-home respite up to six hours a week for unpaid caregivers who are taking care of someone who is 60 years of age or older or someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementia.  The program also assists caregivers 55 years of age and older caring for a minor child under the age of 18.  The Caregiver is the client even though the services are provided to the Care Receiver.

The Care Receiver must be unable to perform at least 2 Activities of Daily Living without substantial human assistance, including verbal reminding, physical cueing or supervision.  The Care Receiver has to have a cognitive or other mental impairment that requires substantial supervision to prevent the individual from causing harm to him/herself or others.  If individuals have income at or above 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, contributions will be encouraged at levels based on the actual cost of services.  Preference is given to persons with the greatest economic and social needs as defined by the Older Americans Act.

Services Provided

The services provided are respite in the form of sitter service, light housekeeping, personal care and Personal Emergency Monitoring systems.  Adult Daycare can be provided in counties that have an Adult Daycare facility. 

The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides weekly respite services to caregivers in the form of sitter, personal care, light housekeeping or Personal Emergency Response Systems. Case Managers can provide assistance with problem solving, referrals and emotional support to caregivers. Caregivers can be referred out to counseling and support groups where available. To make contact with the NFCS intake staff call the toll free number which is 1-866-836-6678. After the telephone assessment the case management staff will schedule an in-home visit and complete an assessment to determine eligibility and prepare a service plan.

How to Apply

To access the National Family Caregiver Support program Caregivers must call the Intake Line at 866-836-6678. The phone Intake Specialist will use an Intake Form to ask questions that will determine if the Caregiver and Care Receiver are eligible.  If they score high enough and a slot is available they will be contacted by the case management staff for in in-home visit.  The case manager will do an assessment and set up services.

Information You'll Need for an Application:

• Your Name
• Date of Birth
• Phone Number
• Address
• Marital status
• Emergency Contacts
• Monthly Income
• Who assists Care Receiver now? 
• Health information, including: any conditions, hospitalizations within the last year, any falls taken in the last three months, and any physical limitations.
• Mental health information, including: any conditions and dementia related problems.

Individuals will be asked about the Care Receiver’s ability to dress, bathe, get in and out of bed or chair, get around the home, feed themselves, toileting, managing medications, managing money, prepare meals, do light or heavy housework, use transportation, use the telephone and what assistive devices are used.

Please download a copy of the current intake form from our website (located below) and have that ready before you call. The more information you have available, the faster your application can be completed.

Caregiver Intake Form