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Caregivers

If you are a wife, husband, daughter, son, grandparent, grandchild, or neighbor caring for a loved one or friend .. YOU are a Caregiver.

If you are the person running to the store, cleaning the house, scheduling doctor appointments or providing 24 hour intensive care .. YOU are a Caregiver.

If you are a person trying to help someone remain in their own home, or yours .. YOU are a Caregiver.

What is a Caregiver?

A “caregiver” is a family member, friend, neighbor, or other concerned person. A “caregiver” gives physical, emotional, financial, or other support to an older adult, disabled person, or child who has a physical or mental condition and needs help with daily activities. Daily activities can include showering, eating, walking, using the bathroom, cooking, cleaning, paying bills, etc. You may need some type of caregiver support and services to help you. You may benefit from one of the other Respite Care Options that offer small breaks from caregiver activities. Below are some options to think about:

What Best Describes Your Situation As A Caregiver?

The situations you face may force you to make quick choices about what care and services you need. Here are some events that might happen and steps to take if you are in a similar situation:

I’m caring for someone in my house and am getting worn out. I need help. Where can I find out what is available?
I am a long distance care giver. Where can I find out what services are available in Genesee County?
I am a long distance care giver. Where can I find out what services are available in other counties or states? For persons in need of help who are over age 60, contact Eldercare Locator at www.eldercare.acl.gov or 1-800-677-1116. For persons who are under age 60 that need help, contact DisabilityInfo.Gov at www.disabilityinfo.gov

How can I help the person I’m caring for take care of healthcare decisions and financial matters?

If you or the person you are caring for is age 60 or older or is an adult or child with disabilities, NY Connects has information about supportive services for you. We offer the help you need. Counseling services for more difficult relationship problems, such as arguing with family members, are offered from several agencies. Call NY Connects Office for the Aging at 585-343-1611.

When you just don’t know what to do or where to turn, call NY Connects Office for the Aging at (585) 343-1611 for help.

Caregiver Support

New York State's CARE Act: Basic Information for Hospital Patients and Family Caregivers

New York State Paid Family Leave

Learn More

Do you provide unpaid care to a family member, friend, or neighbor who has an illness, disability, memory loss, or injury? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are a caregiver! Are you feeling overwhelmed, constantly worried, tired, sad, easily irritated, and/or extremely stressed? You are not alone and there is support available. If you would like to learn more about resources, tools, and supports available for caregivers, please answer the following questions to get connected to the right starting place.

Are you over the age of 18 and caring for an older adult (age 60+)?
Are you over the age of 18 caring for an individual (any age) with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder (e.g., dementia, traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, chronic traumatic encephalopathy)?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you are eligible for the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). The goal of the NFCSP is to support family caregivers so they may continue to carry out their caregiving roles and responsibilities. The program can provide services such as caregiver counseling, information and assistance, caregiver training, respite care (a break from caregiving), and much more. If you would like to learn more about how this program can assist you, please contact Genesee County Office for the Aging at 585-343-1611.

If you answered no to the questions above, or you are not interested in learning about the resources available through the NFCSP, there is still help available to you through the Any Care Counts - New York (ACC-NY) Campaign which recognizes and supports the millions of unpaid caregivers across the state! Through ACC-NY you can discover your caregiver intensity score by taking the ARCHANGELS Caregiver Intensity Index (CII). It takes just 2 minutes to complete. You will find out whether you are “in the red," "yellow" or "green," and be connected to trusted resources.

Do you prefer to search resources on your own? Visit the NY Connects Resource Directory. NY Connects links individuals of all ages and their caregivers to long term services and supports and provides one stop access to free, objective, comprehensive information and assistance.

Office for the Aging Caregiver Services

The Office for the Aging offers information, referral and assistance to obtain any needed services. They also provide counseling on caregiving issues and long term care planning. Support Programs such as In Home Respite Care, Personal Emergency Response System, and Adult Day Services are also available. Referrals can be made to the Caregiver Program staff at (585) 343-1611.

Support Groups

Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group is held the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1:00 pm at 2 Bank Street, Batavia, New York. For more information, call the Genesee County Office for the Aging at (585) 343-1611.

Home Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)

Home Delivered Meals are available to any Genesee County resident 60 years of age or older who is incapacitated due to illness, surgery, physical handicap or advancing age, AND is unable to prepare their own meals, AND is without support of family, friends or neighbors for meal preparation. Services are available based on need without regard to income.

Meals are delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There is no delivery on holidays. Services may be discontinued at any time, or can be interrupted if needed for vacations or hospitalizations.

Everyone who receives a meal has the opportunity to contribute. Referrals may be made to the Home Delivered Meals Intake worker by calling (585) 343-1611.

In Home Aide Service

Personal Care & Home Health Aides are available through many agencies in Genesee County. The Genesee County Office for the Aging has an Expanded In-Home Service for the Elderly Program (EISEP) that provides Personal Care Aides, Housekeeper/Chore Services and Case Management. Referrals for this program can be made to the Genesee County Office for the Aging at (585) 343-1611.

Alzheimer's Association, Western New York Chapter

The Alzheimer's Association offers supportive programs for family members caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease or other forms of dementia. Information and referral, Caregiver Counseling, Training Programs and Support Groups, as well as a newsletter, are all available. The Western New York Chapter can be reached at 1-800-272-3900 or www.alz.org/wny. The website for the National Alzheimer's Association is www.alz.org.

Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)

This is a medical alert system that can help preserve a cherished way of life by giving seniors the confidence to continue living in their own homes. These devices are worn as a necklace or bracelet and alerts others of your need for assistance when you press the alert button.

Hospice Services

Homecare and Hospice/Community Care of Western New York offers care for terminally ill clients with a life expectancy of six (6) months or less. Services include nursing and physician care, pain control, personal care, family support, spiritual care and bereavement support. Homecare and Hospice can be reached at (585) 343-7596.

Terminal Comfort Care Housing

Crossroads House is an alternative to hospital or nursing home stay when care can no longer be provided for a person in their own home. Crossroads house is intended for persons with a terminal illness and life expectancy of three months or less. Admission is available, at any time, for up to two residents. Preference is given to those who can no longer be cared for in their own home and admission is based solely on need, regardless or religion, age, sex or race. Residents must be under the care of a certified home health care agency for proper medical care and case management. Care is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can be reached at (585) 343-3892 or http://www.crossroadshouse.com/.

Respite

In addition to in-home care agencies and day care programs, other agencies provide overnight respite care depending upon eligibility and availability. Please contact them for the services available.

VAMC WNY Healthcare System

Phone Number: (585) 297-1000

Long Distance Caregivers

Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is administered by the National Association of State Units on Aging.? A nationwide directory assistance service designed to help older persons and caregivers locate local support resources for aging Americans.? They can be reached at 1-800-677-1116.

The New York State Office for the Aging Senior Citizens hotline offers information and referral for all senior programs and services available in New York State. They can be contacted at 1-800-342-9871 or http://www.aging.ny.gov/