Family Caregiver Assistance

Service Definition

Information for Caregivers

This service is regarding the caregiver’s role and provides the public and individuals with information on resources and services available to individuals within their communities. This may include group services, public education, provision of information at health fairs and other similar functions. Service units for information for caregivers are for activities directed to large audiences of current or potential caregivers such as disseminating publications, conducting media campaigns and similar activities.

Service Definition

Assistance in Gaining Access to Caregiver Services
This service assists caregivers, on a one-on-one basis, in obtaining access to the services and resources that are available within their communities. To the maximum extent practicable, it ensures that the individual receives services needed by establishing adequate follow-up procedures. Assistance can be provided either in the form of Information & Assistance or Case Management.

Service Definition

Cargiver Respite
This service offers temporary, substitute supports or living arrangements for care recipients in order to provide a brief period of relief or rest for unpaid caregivers served under the Family Caregiver Support Program. Respite care includes: (1) in-home respite (personal care, home care, and other in-home respite); (2) respite provided by attendance of the care recipient at a senior center or other non-residential program; (3) institutional respite provided by placing the care recipient in an institutional setting such as a nursing home for a short period of time as a respite service to the caregiver; and (for grandparents caring for children) summer camps. To be eligible for caregiver respite, the care recipient must either: (1) be unable to perform at least two activities of daily living (ADL’s) without substantial human assistance, including verbal reminding, physical cueing OR (2) due to a cognitive or other mental impairment, require substantial supervision because the individual behaves in a manner that poses a serious health or safety hazard to the individual or another individual.

Service Definition

Supplemental Services to Caregivers
These services provide assistance with Activities of Daily Living or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and are provided on a limited basis to complement the care provided by caregivers. Examples of supplemental services include, but are not limited to, home repair/modifications, assistive technologies, emergency response systems, home delivered meals, and incontinence supplies. To be eligible for supplemental services, the care recipient must either: (1) be unable to perform at least two activities of daily living (ADL’s) without substantial human assistance, including verbal reminding, physical cueing OR (2) due to a cognitive or other mental impairment, require substantial supervision because the individual behaves in a manner that poses a serious health or safety hazard to the individual or another individual.

How Service is provided

Information for Caregivers of Older Adults or Gisrandparents Raising Grandchildren Respite: The Area Agency contracts with the local Lifespan Respite program through Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (serves Wasco and Hood River Counties). The phone number is 541-298-5131, Sherman County Lifespan Respite (serves Sherman and Wheeler Counties) phone number is 541-565-3434, and Gilliam County Lifespan Respite 541-384-2114. Each individual contractor decides how to budget and provide each service in their County.