Caring for a loved one may be a labor of love, but often it can interfere
with the care you provide for yourself, causing emotional stress, exhaustion and
even injury or illness. Take care of yourself and don't let your loved one's
illness or disability always take center stage.
What is
InterServ Caregiver Support Services?
The Caregiver Support Program is a free program and there are no income
guidelines. The only requirement is that you as a caregiver care for someone 60
years old or older. The person that you care for can reside with you but
services are not limited to individuals caring for someone in their residence.
How do you know if you are a caregiver?
Do you...
Drive a family member, friend or neighbor to doctor’s appointments?
Make meals for someone?
Help someone with household chores such as cleaning, grocery shopping, lawn
care, etc.?
Make regular phone calls to someone to “check in” on them?
Provide hands-on personal care.
Help someone make decisions about
medical issues?
Assist someone with personal business affairs, such as bill paying?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions you
may be a caregiver.
What
services does the program offer?
Our staff works directly with the Caregiver to assess what needs they have as
well as what services could assist them in caring for their loved ones.
Case Management: Case managers provide the Caregiver with emotional
support and work with them in determining what services best meet their needs.
Respite: Respite provides you with relief from the stresses of Caregiving.
A qualified Homecare Aide will come to your residence and sit with your loved
one to allow you to get away and take time for yourself. The Caregiver program
offers a limited amount of respite hours in an effort to relieve the Caregiver
and allow them to take time for themselves. Additional hours may be required and
those are available on a private pay basis through InterServ’s In-Home Services
department.
How do I sign up?
To enroll in the program all you need to do is contact InterServ at 816-232-7779
ext. 27 or 1-800-794-0007. You will be connected with a case manager to assist
you with your needs. During the initial meeting with a case manager you complete
a short assessment. After that, the case manager will work with you in assessing
your needs. The case manager will meet with you at least once a month to follow
up with how things are going and assist you in addressing any new concerns or
difficulties.
Caregiver Support Services offers needed support to adult family members or individuals who are informal caregivers to senior adults, aged 60 or older. This service is FREE of charge to caregivers residing in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Clinton, DeKalb, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth counties in Missouri.
Caregivers Support Services is funded by the Older Americans Act through a contract with Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging and is a free and voluntary program for caregivers residing in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Clinton, DeKalb, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth counties. Program services will be available to caregivers regardless of income. However, all participants will have the opportunity to contribute to the costs of the service they receive. No caregiver will be denied services based on their ability to make a contribution.
Additional Resources:
National Family Caregivers Association
1-800-896-3650
www.thefamilycaregiver.org
Children of Aging Parents (CAPS)
1-800-227-7294
www.caps4caregivers.org
Well Spouse Foundation
1-800-838-0879
www.wellspouse.org
