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The National Family Caregiver Support ProgramThe National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), funded by the federal Older Americans Act, Title III E, helps persons any age who serve as unpaid caregivers for persons sixty or older. The goal of this program is to relieve the emotional, physical, and financial hardships of providing continual care. Most caregivers receiving assistance have been providing heavy-duty care with little support when they hear about this program. Some have been on a waiting list for traditional funding for seniors for a long time because having a caregiver made their care receiver a lower priority for services when compared to someone who did not have anyone to help him or her. With this new funding, having a caregiver is a requirement for service. In Pinellas and Pasco County, Florida, caregivers providing 24-hour care are considered high priority for services through this program. The National Family Caregiver Support Program seeks to find families who are economically or socially needy, but low income is not an eligibility requirement for service. A second part of the program helps grandparents sixty or over serving as primary caregivers for grandchildren or other related children under eighteen living in the grandparent's home. There is no charge for services to caregivers of older persons or grandchildren; but as is true with all Older Americans Act Programs, donations are accepted. The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides these services:
The usual entry point for the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) is the Senior Helpline (727-217-8111). The National Family Caregiver Support Program is available throughout the United States, with some variation in services offered in different areas. For more about this program, visit the U. S. Administration on Aging web site, www.aoa.gov. |
