You are a caregiver if you are shopping, helping with bathing, preparing meals, cleaning, managing medicines, and providing transportation and more for another person. Most family caregivers rely on experience, intuition and professional advice to give the best possible care.

 We will listen to your concerns, answer your questions and assist you by becoming an ongoing resource for information.

Caregiver Services also provides:

• Workshops: Workshops and courses are offered to support caregivers as they build confidence and develop new skills. Classes offer a fun and relaxing environment for caregivers to build connections with each other. Classes regularly offered include:
  1. Men Making Meals: A cooking class for male caregivers.
  2. How to Have a Family Meeting

For more information or for an upcoming schedule, call the Senior Resource Line at 607.778.2411.

• Caregiver Corner Newsletter: Caregiver Corner is a caregiving focused newsletter that provides information, tips, and practical advice for people who are concerned about the health, safety, or well being of an older person.
• Caregiver Respite Program: Respite can be provided to caregivers through a variety of programs offered by the Office for Aging. Programs that offer respite include Adult Day Care, Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly (EISEP), and Gaining Resources for Older Workers (GROW). The Caregiver Respite Program is one of the primary respite programs available.

  The Caregiver Respite Program exists to help caregivers and families meet the daily challenge of caring for an elderly spouse or relative. The program provides family members with time to pursue personal interests, and allows them an opportunity for a break from the demands of caregiving.

  • An in-home assessment to determine eligibility is required to participate in this program.
  • Program participants will be provided with a lifetime limit of up to 100 hours of in-home respite service. This may be used in weekly increments of 3-4 or more hours, or more occasionally if desired. Maximum flexibility for family members is our intention.
  • Short-term stays in a nursing or adult care facility may be provided for three days. A respite event of this type will be counted as 48 hours against the client's total limit of hours.
  • Clients will receive written notification when the limit on respite hours has been reached. Case management services will continue to be provided, along with information on respite options that are available in the community.
• A Support Group: To provide caregivers with much needed support, the Office for Aging holds a “Caregiver Chat” once a month where caregivers can come and talk with caregivers who are in similar situations.
• A Resource Center Library: This includes videos, books, a variety of free pamphlets about homecare, stress and other caregiver concerns. To utilize the Resource Center, call the Senior Resource Line at 607.778.2411

Caregiver Events:

• Powerful Tools for Caregivers: This fall, Broome County Office for Aging is will begin offering a six-week course: Powerful Tools for Caregivers.  The course helps non-professional caregivers of any age develop new skills that will improve their lives and their ability to continue to provide care. Click here for more information.
• Men Making Meals: The Office for Aging and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County are offering Men Making Meals starting October 20. Men Making Meals is an award winning, four-week cooking class designed to help men with limited cooking skills. Click here for more information.
   

Caregiver Resources:

• Caregiver Services Frequently Asked Questions
• 10 Tips for Caregivers
• How Much Will It Cost?
• Respite Care Options In Broome County
• Senior Apartment Housing Guide
• Guide To Organizing A Family Meeting
• Personal Emergency Response System Resource
• Family Caregiver Alliance article: Changing Places: Should Your Parents Move in with You

Caregiver Links:

• Caregiver Services Frequently Asked Questions
  Answers to common questions about caregiving in the Greater Binghamton region

• Today’s Caregiver www.caregiver.com
  Provides support and information on caring for the elderly
   
• Well Spouse Association www.wellspouse.org
  For husbands, wives and partners of those with chronic illness or a disability
   
• Family Caregiver Alliance www.caregiver.org
  A Public voice for caregivers
   
• Family Caregiving 101 www.familycaregiving101.org
  A great place to find assistance, answers, new ideas, and helpful advice
   
• Caregiving Blog http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/
  Jane Gross from the New York Times shares her story about caring for her late mother
   
• Lotsa Helping Hands www.lotsahelpinghands.com
  A website where caregivers can create a calendar to coordinate services for the care receivers. A free services that keeps organize busy schedules.
   
• The Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org
  The leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research