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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 for a while 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 recipient 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. Services provided by the National Family Caregiver Support Program include:
The
usual entry point for the National Family Caregiver Support Program in
Pinellas County and Pasco County, Florida, is the Senior Helpline of
the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. Call The Senior Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER,
(1-800-963-5337). For inquiries from outside of the area call 727-217-8111. Click here for more information on the part of the program that helps grandparents age 55 or over serving as primary caregivers for grandchildren or other related children age 18 or under living in the grandparent's home. 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. If you live in other areas of Florida call the state Elder Helpline toll-free number: 1-800-96ELDER (1-800-963-5337) and it will connect you to the Elder Helpline closest to you. The National Family Caregiver Support Program is available throughout
the United States. For more about this program, visit the Resource Room
for caregivers on the Administration on Aging's website, http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/HCLTC/Caregiver/index.aspx |
