The National Family Caregiver Support Program

The 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 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.

In Pasco and Pinellas the National Family Caregiver Support Program provides these services for caregivers of seniors:

• Screening
  
• Respite care or time off for the caregiver in several forms--companions, homemakers, home health aides, adult day care, and in-facility care
• Counseling
• Chore Services
• Medical supplies such as disposable undergarments or nutritional supplements

A second part of the program helps grandparents age 55 or over serving as primary caregivers for grandchildren or other related children age eighteen or under and living in the grandparent's home. In Pasco and Pinellas this program provides support groups, chore services, and legal assistance to the kinship caregivers. For more information, click here.

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. 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 usual entry point for the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) in Pasco and Pinellas Counties is the Senior Helpline at 1-800-96ELDER or -800-963-5337. (Out of area inquiries call 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, http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/HCLTC/Caregiver/index.aspx.