Caregiver Support Programs

During the calls, representatives of the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging will discuss the available in-home services. AARP representatives will discuss information that is available online to caregivers.

In addition, the experts will discuss programs caregivers can tap into, such as:

• Care management programs that provide education and training for family caregivers through local AAAs or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Caregiver support groups through organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association and the American Cancer Society.

• In-home respite programs that provide breaks for caregivers, often with fees based on ability to pay.

• Public benefits that can help pay for groceries, medications and utilities.

More money for home-based care

AARP Ohio and Central Ohio AAA volunteers will staff a phone bank from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 27 during the WCHM-TV, Channel 4, news program. Viewers with caregiving questions can call 614-821-4444.

The volunteers will provide information or refer callers to caregiving resources in the Columbus area.

More resources are now available because the Ohio General Assembly allocated an additional $152 million for home- and community-based services this year.

AARP Ohio advocated for the additional money for the services, which allow frail people to remain at home rather than move to a nursing home.

"With these programs," Taylor said, "we are going to link thousands of caregivers to resources they never even knew existed."

For more information on and assistance with caregiving, visit the AARP Caregiving Resource Center.

Eileen Beal is a writer living in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

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