Programs & Services
Family Caregiver Support Program
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Taking care of a family member or friend can be a fulfilling experience. Caregiving can also be time consuming, stressful and overwhelming. The Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s Family Caregiver Support Program can help you continue to provide high quality care, while managing the challenges of caregiving.
We also provide support for "kinship" families; usually grandparents or friends raising children.
Are You a Family Caregiver?
Do you help an older adult with...
- Managing bills, medical insurance or other finances?
- Providing transportation for appointments or errands?
- Preparing meals or doing the grocery shopping?
- Managing medical services such as home health?
- Providing emotional support and companionship?
- Bathing, dressing or feeding?
- Household chores?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions or if you provide other assistance to help a senior remain at home, then you are a caregiver.
Why Does a Family Caregiver Need Support?
Caring for someone’s health and personal needs can be time consuming and stressful. It can also be physically demanding and emotionally draining. Sometimes, caregivers are so busy taking care of their family member, that they overlook their own needs and suffer “burnout,” ultimately making them unable to continue caregiving. There are services and resources that can help you, the caregiver, continue to provide good care, while also taking care of yourself.
How We Can Help
The Family Caregiver Support Program can help you:
- Learn strategies for planning to make the future easier
- Learn tips on how to take care of yourself
- Get ideas on how to balance caregiving with family and work
- Find the care and assistance your loved one needs
- Reduce stress and anxiety
Specific Resources
The Family Caregiver Support Program offers:
- Information and Referral. We offer extensive resources that can help you in your caregiving. Resources include information on benefit programs, adult day health programming, advocacy and more. An Elder Advocate can help you find what you need.
- Classes. We offer a variety of classes, including classes about community resources, stress management and hands-on care.
- Respite Care. Working with our Partners in Caring Program, we can can help access and sometimes fund respite care for caregivers who are taking care of a person with dementia.
- Support Groups. We offer regularly scheduled support groups to help you cope with the challenges of caregiving.
- An Online Support Group. Some caregivers prefer an online forum for support. We have created an online message board. To join the online support group, send an email to online@smaaa.org.
- One-on-one Support and Care Management. Our staff can help with care management options and other questions. Contact Family Caregiver Support. Also, our Senior Solutions Program provides on-going support and care management for a fee. Contact Senior Solutions Care Manager.
