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.
"There are only four kinds of people in this world. Those who have been
caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and
those who will need caregivers." Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady.
Aging Information Specialists
(913) 715-8861
(888) 214-4404 - toll free
Contact Aging Information
Caregiver
Newsletters
Upcoming Educational Events for Caregivers
Caregiver Resources in our Senior Directory online.
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.
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TAKE CARE! is the monthly electronic newsletter of the Caregiver Action Network (CAN), a nation-wide not-for-profit organization based in Maryland. They feature caregiver tip sheets and videos, and a wide variety of practical information for caregivers. For information contact 301-942-6430,info@caregiveraction.org, or see www.caregiveraction.org.
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Technology for Family Caregivers
NFCA also has a new tool called “Plugged-In Caregiving” to
help family caregivers sort through the vast array of caregiving
technologies. NCFA wants to help you discover what's available; where to
start if you’re looking for technologies to help you out; and what’s coming
in the future.
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.
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Johnson County
Human Services
11811 S. Sunset Drive, Suite #1300
Olathe, KS 66061-7056
Map It
(913) 715-8800 : voice
(913) 715-8825 : fax