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National Family Caregiver Support Program
Recognizing that family caregivers are the Nation’s most important and
constant care providers for people of all ages with special needs, an important
program was developed by the Administration on Aging (AoA) of the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS). The National Family Caregiver Support
Program (NFCSP), an amendment to the Older Americans Act reauthorization
in 2000, stands as the most significant legislative accomplishment to date
on behalf of family caregivers.
The NFCSP provides funding to help states develop multifaceted systems of caregiver
support within five basic components:
- Information to caregivers about available services
- Assistance in gaining access to support services
- Individual counseling, advice on organization of support groups and caregiver
training
- Respite care
- Supplemental services to complement the care provided by caregivers
There are two groups of eligible clients that can receive services under the
FCSP:
- Adult, non-paid family member, or other individual, who is an informal
provider of in-home and community care to an individual 60 years of
age and older.
- Grandparent or older individual who is a relative caregiver (grandparent
or step-grandparent, or a relative by blood or marriage) who is 60 years
of age or older who lives with a child and is the primary caregiver
to the child. The child has to be 17 years of age or younger.
The vast majority of long term care is provided by family members and friends
in the community. There are over 318,000 informal caregivers in Oregon
alone! (Source: Alzheimer’s Association 1999) Families want
to continue providing care to help their relatives remain living independently
and with dignity. The National Family Caregiver Support Program supports
the mission of Department of Human Services, helping people to become independent,
healthy and safe.
For more information please contact:
Department of Human Services
Seniors & People with Disabilities
Office of Home & Community Supports
Voice/TTY: 800.282.8096
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