Tap into Local Resources for Homecare ©

Republished with permission: Clare Absher RN, BSN HomeCareFiles.org

Start by contacting a few key local resources to get help finding homecare assistance in your area. Call your county health department and social services department to learn about specific programs offered to local residents. Frequently in rural small towns, health departments provide their residents with caregiving assistance. In larger urban areas, homecare is often supplied by private homecare agencies but you still may be able to get some local funding.

Read more about determining the most appropriate caregiver for your needs, selecting the right home care agency and paying for home care in the following articles.

Try the Caregiver Profile at HomeCareFiles.org to help you identify your caregiver needs.

Try calling your local social service department when family budgets are limited to learn more about accessing financial help with caregiving. County social service departments are sometimes tasked with actual staffing of in-home caregivers and homemakers. More often county social workers provide families counseling and support groups, training, and respite care to give family caregivers a break. The government subsidized "Family Caregiver Support Program" in some areas allows for compensation to family caregivers to care for loved ones in their own homes. Refer to article below for further details about getting paid to care for family members as varies widely from state to state and even within same state.

Local Area Agencies on Aging oversee and coordinate family caregiving services to help seniors live with dignity and choices in their homes. Contact your knowledgeable local area agency on agency for possible referrals to local services.

Senior centers are another useful local resource to turn to as many provide volunteers to assist families with transportation to doctor appointments and home meal delivery. Many also sponsor affordable adult day care programs that offer supervision along with social activities that give respite to busy family caregivers.

Local health and social service departments, local area agencies on aging and senior centers make up an aging network that should not overlooked for homecare assistance. Other communities offer senior services through active church groups and local fraternal service organizations. Click on your state to further explore senior services available in your area.

Check our U.S. States and Territories Department of Health / Senior Services contact list.