Services for Caregivers
	The Caregiver’s Resource Center and Alzheimer’s Support Unit of the Office for the Aging is designed to help caregivers provide quality care for older and disabled persons while also maintaining the quality of their own lives and the lives of their family members. Services of the Caregiver's Resource Center include:

Information, Referral and Counseling
Individual assistance in determining your needs and referrals to meet those needs. How to cope with the stresses of caregiving.

Support Groups
Caregiver support groups currently meet at the Office for the Aging. Referrals are made to other local support groups as needed.

          Open to those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other type of dementia.

          4th Tuesdays 1:00-2:30 PM

          Facilitator: David Stoyell 274-5492

           For persons with Parkinson’s and caregivers.

           3rd Wednesdays 2:00-3:30 PM at Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Ave, Ithaca

           Facilitator: David Stoyell 274-5492

           For those caring for parents or other elderly relatives or friends

           3rd Wednesdays 5:00-6:30 PM at Lifelong, 119 West Court Street

           Sponsored in cooperation with Lifelong

Newsletter
Call (607) 274-5492 or e-mail dstoyell@tompkins-co.org to get on our mailing list to start receiving a free subscription to In Support of Caregivers, a quarterly newsletter with articles and announcements of interest to family caregivers. The Center maintains a resource and lending library for community members and professionals.  To view recent editions of In Support of Caregivers, visit our Gateway to Senior Services.

Workshops
Workshops on caregiving are offered periodically. For information on date and places, please call (607) 274-5492. Workshop titles have included:

Alzheimer's Support Unit

The Caregiver's Resource Center provides information and support to caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia at all stages of disease. Articles and pamphlets on various issues of concern to caregivers are available, in addition to the books and videos on dementia caregiving, in the lending library. Dementia Caregiving trainings are scheduled periodically. Telephone support from ex-caregivers of persons with dementia is available in addition to the support groups and consultation available with staff.

Caregiver Respite and Support Through Project CARE

The Office for the Aging's Project CARE is a program which provides in-home support to family caregivers as well as direct help to frail, homebound seniors.  Volunteers of the Project Care Program provide assistance in a variety of ways, helping with one or more of  the following activities:

Volunteers may stay with a frail senior in order that the caregiver can take a walk, do an errand or simply read a book!  In addition, Project CARE is sometimes able to pay for weekly respite service provided through an area home care agency. Small grants may also be available for short-term (temporary) respite--to help fund substitute care so that a stressed family caregiver can get away for a few days. These grants are intended for caregivers who would otherwise find it difficult to afford the respite care--whether at home or a respite stay in a facility.