Connecting Caregivers to Care

Quite a number of patients pharmacists serve are not only managing their own health but also caring for loved ones. Caregiving can be both fulfilling and overwhelming, often impacting a person’s physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to connect caregivers with resources that can ease their burden and support them in this role.

The Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) offers the Caregiver Assistance Program, which includes five core services designed to ease the demands of caregiving. These services are: 1) information about resources available within caregivers’ communities; 2) assistance through short-term case management to help caregivers access community support and services; 3) in-home and out-of-home short-term respite care that allows caregivers to take a break from their daily responsibilities; 4) education and counseling services to aid caregivers in decision-making and problem-solving; and 5) supplemental services such as incontinence supplies, home modifications, emergency response systems, and more.

Caregivers eligible for this program include:

• Primary family caregivers of adults age 60+

• Adult family members or informal caregivers age 18+ caring for people of any age with Alzheimer’s or related disorders

• Older relative caregivers (except parents) and grandparents age 55+ caring for children ages 18 and younger

• Older relative caregivers including parents, as well as grandparents age 55+, who are caring for adults ages 19 to 59 with disabilities.

A caregiver’s income level is not a criterion for receiving these services. Please help inform your eligible patients about these valuable resources. They can apply by calling the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) at 1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463) or by visiting Caregiver Assistance.

See https://alabamaageline.gov/alabama-cares/ for more information.