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Caregiver Support

The Area Agency on Aging sponsors services to support non-paid caregivers of frail older adults who need services to maintain independent living.

Contact Information

Aging Information Specialists
(913) 715-8861
(888) 214-4404 - toll free
Contact Aging Information

Frequent Questions

How do I know if I am a caregiver?
Why do you help caregivers?
What services are available for caregivers?
How do I qualify for caregiver support services?
How much do caregiver support services cost?
Who provides the service?
What information is available about caregiving?

How do I know if I am a caregiver?

Most people assume a caregiving role over time. They may start by driving a family member to a doctor’s appointment and later take on more supportive duties such as laundry, bill paying or grocery shopping. If a friend or family member depends upon you for help, you are a caregiver.

Why do you help caregivers?

We provide services for caregivers to support them in their caregiving role. Caregivers take on added responsibilities when they assist an older family member or friend. Commonly, they juggle the needs of the family member or friend with other existing obligations such as work, marriage and children. Caregivers often neglect their own needs to be of help to an older adult.

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What services are available for caregivers?

• Assessment –an in-home meeting with a potential client to review the caregiving situation, determine needs for services to support the caregiving role and develop a plan of services.
• Counseling – identification of caregiving concerns and identification of approaches to resolving those concerns.
In-Home services - such as attendant care, homemaking and chore service for the older adult who is the focus of caregiving.
• Supplemental Support Services – services or supplies needed to ease the burden of the caregiver.
Geriatric Care Management
Meals-on-Wheels
• Respite Care – temporary relief of caregiving responsibilities for primary caregivers.

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How do I qualify for caregiver support services?

Any non-paid caregiver of an adult age 60 and over who resides in Johnson County can ask for caregiver support services.

How much do caregiver in-home services cost?

Some Family Caregiver Support Initiative services are provided free-of-charge. Other direct services are available on a sliding scale or donation basis, depending on the type of service.

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Who provides the service?

The AAA contracts with community-based service agencies to provide services such as homemaking, attendant care, chore or medication management and respite care services. The AAA provides the assessment, geriatric care management and meals available through the Johnson County Meals on Wheels program.

What information is available about caregiving?

The Area Agency on Aging offers a free monthly newsletter "The Caregiver Assistance News" with topics of interest to caregivers. The newsletter is now available online.  Johnson County caregivers may start receiving the newsletter at home by calling 913-715-8860; or current subscribers may call to "opt-in" and read the newsletter online instead. The publication is funded through Older Americans Act III-E Family Caregiver Support Funds. 

January 2012 February 2012 March 2012   
April 2012   May 2012 June 2011
 July 2011 August 2011 September 2011  
 October 2011 November 2011 December 2011

Caregivers may also enjoy "Take Care!" the caregiver newsletter available from the National Family Caregivers Association.   See their Caregiving Resources page to read or sign up for their quarterly newsletter.

The AAA also offers brochures with tips for caregivers, the “Kansas Caregiver Guide,” published by the Kansas Department on Aging, and information on a variety of caregiver books, websites, and videos. See "Caregiver Information" in Top Topics and Aging Articles for more on these resources, as well as a new link to the Veterans Administration's new Caregiver Support Line.


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Other Caregiver Resources in the Metro Area (programs offered by other agencies)

A metro-wide KC Caregiver Supportline sponsored by Shepherd’s Center of KC Central in coordination with the UMKC School of Social Work and the University of Kansas Landon Center on Aging, is  available to connect caregivers of older adults with programs and services that meet their needs in Johnson, Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Wyandotte counties.   Call 816-444-1122 or visit www.sccentral.org for the latest information. 

Also you can "Take a Class" in Family Caregiving from the American Red Cross in Kansas City by checking out the classes on their website at  http://www.kcredcross.org or by contacting them at 816-931-8400 for information about fees and schedules. Their Family Caregiving classes offer information on caring for a parent, spouse or friend in a home setting, and ensuring a safe environment. 

Classes include: legal and financial issues for caregivers, caring for a loved one with Alzheimers or dementia, heart healthy brain healthy eating,  a caregiver's guide to boundaries and self care, no back attack guide to helping your loved one without hurting yourself, assisting with personal care, vital signs and medication management, record-keeping and general caregiver skills, and the value of sleep for the patient and the caregiver.

A complete list of Caregiver Resources is in our Senior Directory online.

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Human Services

11811 S. Sunset Drive, Suite #1300
Olathe, KS 66061-7056

(913) 715-8800 : voice
(913) 715-8825 : fax