v     The National Family Caregiver Support Program, created by the Administration on Aging, and established via the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act by the 106th Congress, helps families sustain their efforts to care for older relatives.  Under this caregiver program, Connecticut’s State Unit on Aging, the Aging Services Division, works in partnership with the five Area Agencies on Aging.

Information in the form of outreach and education about resources to help families in their caregiver roles; Assistance to families in learning about and locating services;

Caregiver counseling, training, and peer support; 

Respite care to provide caregivers a temporary break from their caregiving responsibilities through services including adult day care; 

Supplemental services, which includes items or services designed to help “fill the gap” when there is a need or there are not other ways to obtain the services or item. 

Eligible Populations 

Family caregivers of older adults aged 60 or older.

Grandparents and relative caregivers, age 55 or older, of children 18 years of age or under (including grandparents who are sole caregivers of grandchildren and those individuals who are affected by mental retardation or who have developmental disabilities). 

Aging Resource Centers

The caregiver program is administered in each regional Area Agency on Aging in Connecticut.  Each agency has developed an Aging Resource Center which offers materials on aging issues such as books and videos for caregivers, students and professionals.  Please contact your local Area Agency on Aging for more information and hours of operation. 

For more information and to access the caregiver application form, please contact the Area Agency on Aging in your area either by calling 1-800-994-9422 (in CT) or by visiting their website:

For the eastern area:  
www.seniorresourcesec.org/caregivers/family.html

For the south central area:
www.agencyonaging-scc.org/Programs/programs.htm

For the southwestern area:
www.swcaa.org/care/cnfcsp.asp

For the north central area:
www.ncaaact.org/ctnfcsp.html

For the western area:
www.wcaaa.org/cnfcsp.html 

Follow this link to the map of Connecticut to find the Area Agency on Aging serving your town.

Please follow this link for a listing of statewide Caregiver Support Groups

Additional Resources:

The National Alzheimer’s Contact Center is a free tool for caregivers available 24 hours/day, 365 days/year.  It offers an integrated network of information specialists and clinicians who can provide you with free consultation and support by phone or online.  A senior housing finder, group calendars, message boards and other free online tools are accessible at the website:  http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_caresource.asp

Or call the 24-hour helpline toll free # at 1-800-272-3900.

For information on how the CT Nursing Home Diversion Modernization Project works with the National Family Caregiver Support Program please follow this link.

Please follow this link to view "Choices At Home" a video on self-directed care and an on-line training tool for Caregivers and Consumers.