Caregiver Support Services are designed to offer informal caregivers such as family, friends, and neighbors of all ages to carry out caregiving responsibilities. Caregiver support services provide information and assistance (case management), caregiver training, respite in the form of level 1 and level 2 personal care assistance, consumer directed in-home services, in-home contact and support services, social adult day services, supplemental services of transportation, caregiver meals, and personal emergency response services. These services are defined as followed:
  

New Caregiver Portal

Caring for loved a loved one and don't know where to start? New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and Aging-NY has given New York State caregivers free access to a Caregiver Portal through Trualta. For more information go to New York Caregiver

Assistance

Case Management

Services consist of assessment and reassessments, care planning, arranging for services, follow-up and monitoring and discharge planning. Case Management services are provided by our caseworkers who are certified by Boston University's School of Social Work's Center for Aging & Disability Education & Research (CADER) program. The Washington County Office for Aging and Disabilities Resource Center will pay the full cost of all approved Case Management Services.  A contribution of $5.00 per month is suggested to support the continuation of these services, but no one will be denied services because of an inability or unwillingness to contribute.

Caregiver Trainings

Caregiver Trainings are provided by our CADER certified caseworkers and provide caregivers with instruction to improve knowledge and performance to specific skills related to their caregiver roles. We offer Powerful Tools for Caregivers, which is a six-week class, developed to provide family caregivers information about self-care. Family caregivers will be given tools to reduce personal stress; change negative self-talk; communicate more effectively in challenging situations; manage their emotions; and make tough caregiving decisions. This training is a space where caregivers can talk about how they feel by sharing their stories and struggles and hear others who are feeling the stress of caregiving. The Washington County Office for Aging and Disabilities Resource Center will pay the full cost of all approved Caregiver Training.  A contribution of $5.00 per class per session is suggested to support the continuation of these services, but no one will be denied services because of an inability or unwillingness to contribute.

Respite 

We offer nonmedical respite services for caregivers.  These services are available to provide companionship, supervision, and some assistance with personal needs so that a caregiver can have a break. 

Personal Care (PC) Services

Personal Care (PC) Services are nonmedical care provided in two ways and is divides by levels:

     
         Level 1 PC Services are in the form of household chores, shopping, laundry, preparing meals, managing money, escorting to appointments, and other essential task/errands.

       Level 2 PC Services are task that may include all the level 1 assistance and also include bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, walking and transferring assistance, supervising and providing support to the consumer for their medication administration, routine skin care, and other essential nonmedical care. 

The Washington County Office for Aging and Disabilities Resource Center will pay the full cost of all approved PC Services.  A contribution of $5.00 per hour is suggested to support the continuation of these services, but no one will be denied services because of an inability or unwillingness to contribute.

Consumer Directed In-Home Personal Care Services

Consumer Directed In-Home Personal Care Services is a system in which the individual in need of care, or their family/caregiver determine what services are necessary. They do the decision-making. It is a creative way to enable older American's to maintain their independence and dignity by making their own choices in the services they receive by directing their own care. This program enhances the ability of family members or other informal caregivers to care for an older person in a home environment and can provide non-institutional respite supports. 

 The Washington County Office for Aging and Disabilities Resource Center will pay the full cost of all approved In-home services.  A contribution of $5.00 per hour is suggested to support the continuation of these services, but no one will be denied services because of an inability or unwillingness to contribute.

In-Home Contact and Support Services

In-Home Contact and Support Services and activities are designed to provide support to caregivers for their care receivers who are isolated because of physical and/or cognitive limitations. These services include but are not limited to Shopping assistance, friendly visiting, and errands. 

Social Adult Day Services (SADS)

Social Adult Day Services (SADS) is a structured, comprehensive program which provides functionally impaired individuals with socialization, supervision and monitoring, personal care, and nutrition in a protective setting. SADS provide caregivers an opportunity for much deserved respite. The Washington County Office for Aging and Disabilities Resource Center will pay the full cost of all approved SADS services. A contribution of $10.00 a day is suggested to support the continuation of these services, but no one will be denied service because of an inability or unwillingness to contribute.

There are also supplemental caregiver support services that include transportation, personal emergency response services (PERS) and home delivered meals. These programs can be found on our web pages.   

Support Groups & Educational Sessions     

There are also a variety of caregiver support groups available throughout the Washington/Warren County areas. Washington County Aging and Disability Resource Center has provided a few links to help with your search of these support groups. If you need further assistance, please contact our office at (518)746-2420.

Caregiver Support - Technology in the COVID world

Archangels - New Resource for Caregivers

2023 Memory Café and Support Groups 

Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver Support

Caregiver Portal - Caregiver Support

Caregiver Wellness & Respite Center

Managing Caregiver Stress

Healthy Insight - Alzheimer's & Dementia

Tips for the Family Caregiver

Alzheimer's Association- ALZ Connected- Online Support Group

Alzheimer's Education and Training Opportunities