Caregiver Help

Caregiver Support and Resources

Introduction

Sometimes individuals find themselves thrust into the role of a caregiver due to a traumatic brain injury of a loved one or family member. Caregivers may have questions, fears or doubts. How well the caregiver functions is dependent on a variety of factors including:

• The history of the injury
• Commitment to the relationship
• History of the relationship
• Health status of the caregiver
• Available resources
• Physical environment of the home
• Availability of help from family
• Willingness to receive help
• Cultural issues
• Spiritual issues
• Worry about being left behind
• Resentment about a change in personal plans and money.

The care of a loved-one can be a complicated responsibility. Ideally, tasks can be divided between family members, friends, and neighbors and there are many services that can reduce the burden on family caregivers. Time off - respite relief - helps to prevent “burn-out” and stress between family members as the family meets new challenges and responsibilities. Respite relief offers caregivers some time for themselves and is generally short term care - spanning from a few hours to an entire weekend.
In addition to respite care, many communities have organizations and agencies that assist caregivers with transportation, meals, nutrition, cleaning services, legal advice and more. Helpful sources of information include other caregivers who have been through similar experiences; brain injury related organizations and foundations; as well as health care professionals. The following resources are designed to help you learn more about community resources and caregiver supports.
Sources: http://www.co.snohomish.wa.us/documents/Departments/Human_Services/Aging/Caregiver/Age_FCK_2AdviceForFamilyCaregivers.pdf ; Michigan Resource Guide for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury and Their Families
For more information on traumatic brain injury, please contact your doctor or refer to the TBI Toolkit, produced by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/Library/tbitoolkit.pdf

FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAMS & INFORMATION

The Family Caregiver Support program provides information, resources, and support services to unpaid family and other unpaid caregivers who provide continuous care for a functionally disabled adult 18 years of age or older. These services enable caregivers to continue at-home care and allow the care recipients to remain in their familiar environment.

To access caregiver resources, including respite care, support services, and educational programs, contact your local nonprofit Family Caregiver Resource Center/Senior Information and Assistance office. Access available Family Caregiver Support Programs on the Aging & Disability Services Admin/DSHS website.

Family Caregiver Support Program-Clark County SW Washington Agency on Aging
7414 NE Hazel Dell Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98665-8325
360-694-8144
http://www.helpingelders.org

Family Caregiver Support Program-Clallam County Contact Information
360-452-3221, 360-374-9496, or 1-800-801-0070

Family Caregiver Support Program-Cowlitz County PO Box 539,
510 B Allen St.
Kelso, WA 98626
360-577-4929 or 800-682-2406
http://www.helpingelders.org

Family Caregiver Support Program-Grays Harbor County Contact Information
360-532-0520 or 1-800-801-0060

Family Caregiver Support Program- Island County Contact Information
360-676-6749
www.nwrcwa.org

Family Caregiver Support Program-Jefferson County Contact Information
360-385-2552 or 1-800-801-0050

KING COUNTY

Aging and Disability Services of King County
P.O. Box 34215 – Seattle, WA 98124-4215
Phone: 206-684-0660; TTY: 206-684-0702; Fax: 206-684-0689
http://www.agingkingcounty.org

KITSAP COUNTY

Kitsap County Division of Aging and Long Term Care 614 Division, MS-5
1026 Sidney Avenue
Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-337-5700 or 1-800-562-6418

LEWIS COUNTY

Family Caregiver Support Program
Contact Information 360-664-3162 x106 or 1-866-714-0479

MASON COUNTY

Family Caregiver Support Program
Contact Information 360-664-3162 x106 or 1-866-714-0479

PACIFIC COUNTY

Family Caregiver Support Program
Contact Information
1-888-571-6557 or 360-942-2177 1-888-571-6558 or 360-642-3634

PIERCE COUNTY

Family Caregiver Support Program - Pierce County Aging & Long Term Care    618 2nd Avenue, Suite 1020 Pacific Ave. - Tacoma, WA. 98418-7915
Phone: 253-798-4600; Toll-free: 1-800-562-0332
Website: http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/seniors
Email: pcseniors@co.pierce.wa.us  

SAN JUAN COUNTY

Family Caregiver Support Program Contact Information
360-676-6749
www.nwrcwa.org

SKAGIT COUNTY

Family Caregiver Support Program Contact Information
360-336-9345
www.nwrcwa.org

SKAMANIA COUNTY

Family Caregiver Support Program Skamania County Senior Services PO Box 369
Stevenson WA 98648
509-427-9466
http://www.helpingelders.org

SNOHOMISH COUNTY

Family Caregiver Network
Phone: 425-290-1240, 1-800-422-2024; TDD: 425-347-7997
Website: www.snocare.org;  
Email: seniorinfo@sssc.org  

THURSTON COUNTY

Family Caregiver Support Program Contact Information 360-664-3162 x106 or 1-866-714-0479

WAHKIAKUM COUNTY

Family Caregiver Support Program PO Box 539
510 B Allen St.
Kelso, WA 98626
360-577-4929 or 800-682-2406
http://www.helpingelders.org

WHATCOM COUNTY

Family Caregiver Support Program
Provides support and services to family caregivers, including: resource libraries, caregiver kits, resource coordination and caregiver support groups.
Contact Information
360-676-6749
www.nwrcwa.org

RELATED RESOURCES

Community Parent Resource Center
1118 S. 142nd Street - Tacoma, WA 98444
Phone: (253) 531-2022; (253) 531-0246 - Fax:
Email: support@p2ppower.org
Web site: http://p2ppower.org
Description: Focus on Asian population. Funded by federal Department of Education. Provides services to parents of children in need of special education with the goal of empowering them to become better advocates for their children. Asian language interpreter service.
Areas Served: Pierce, Kitsap and South King County
Eligibility: Asian population
How to apply: Call for services
Fees: Most services are free of charge

Family Caregiver Alliance

180 Montgomery St., Suite 1100 – San Francisco, CA 94104                      Phone: 1-800-445-8106; 415-434-3388
Web site: http://www.caregiver.org/
Description: A community-based advisory group involved in the planning and evaluation of the Family Caregiver Support Program. Individuals interested in developing information, supportive services, and resources for unpaid family caregivers of seniors and adults with disabilities are invited to participate.
Eligibility: Public
How to apply: Call for services
Fees: Most services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance

Free Caregivers' Handbook
Phone: Toll-Free 1-800-422-3263
Email: kortelm@dshs.wa.gov
Description: Free caregiver kit
Areas Served: Washington state
Eligibility: The handbook is also available in Russian and Spanish.
How to apply: To receive it, send an email or call. Include your name and mailing address.
Fees: Free

Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP)
6316 S. 12th Street, Suite B - Tacoma, WA 98465
Phone: (253) 565-2266 (V/TTY); (800) 572-7368 (V/TTY)
Email: stomp@washingtonpave.com
Web site: http://www.washingtonpave.org/
Description: A special service of PAVE - Parents Are Vital in Education. Provides training and support for military parents.
Areas Served: Western Washington
Eligibility: Military parents How to apply: Call for services
Fees: Most services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance

Stillaguamish Senior Center
18308 Smoky Point Blvd - Arlington, WA 98223
Phone: 360-653-4551
Description: Offers information and support for those caring for a spouse, partner or family member. Participants share ideas on caregiving, discuss ways to alleviate stress and offer each other emotional support.
Hours: Every Wednesday, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Areas Served: Arlington
Eligibility: Caregivers
How to apply: Call for services
Fees: Free support group

Washington PAVE - Parents Are Vital in Education
6316 S 12th Street - Tacoma, WA 98465
Castle Rock office - PO Box 775, Castle Rock, WA 98611
Phone: 253-565-2266; V/TTY: 1-800-572-7368; Fax: 253-566-8052             Email: wapave9@washingtonpave.com
Web site: http://www.washingtonpave.org/
Description: Originated in 1979 through the Parent's Campaign for Disabled Children and Youth to help parents learn about the rights of children with special needs and how to become their child's best advocate.
Email address: wapave@tdn.com.
Area Served: Washington state
Eligibility: Public
Fees: None

Washington State Fathers' Network
16120 NE 8th Street - Bellevue, WA 98008-3937
Phone: 425-747-4004 X4286 (Bellevue) -1-206-284-2859 Office (Seattle)
Email: jmay@fathersnetwork.org
Web site: http://www.fathersnetwork.org
Description: Advocates and supports fathers and families of children with chronic illness and/or developmental disabilities. Sponsors 15 regional programs across Washington state.
Eligibility: Have a child with special needs or work with families that do
Area Served: Washington state

NEW KINSHIP CAREGIVERS SUPPORT PROGRAM (KCSP) AVAILABLE IN WASHINGTON STATE

Do you have responsibility of raising your grandchild or other relative child(ren)? Do you feel you cannot continue caring for this child(ren) unless you get some help? Are you raising the child(ren) without the help of the child welfare system?

If yes, help is available! The Kinship Caregiver Support Program provides financial assistance to eligible families in need. Contact the local KCSP in your area.

County/Area: Adams

County/Area: Asotin

County/Area: Benton

County/Area: Chelan

County/Area: Clallam

County/Area: Clark

County/Area: Columbia

County/Area: Cowlitz

County/Area: Douglas

County/Area: Ferry (Northern)

County/Area: Franklin

County/Area: Garfield

County/Area: Grant

County/Area: Grays Harbor

County/Area: Island

County/Area: Jefferson

County/Area: King

County/Area: Kitsap

County/Area: Kittitas

County/Area: Klickitat

County/Area: Skamania

County/Area: Snohomish

ARE YOU ON-LINE?

To learn about local Kinship Caregiver Support Groups and other Kinship resources, visit the RAPP (Relatives as Parents Program) website at: http://parenting.wsu.edu/relative/index.htm or visit the ADSA website at: http://www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov and click on “caregiving”.