Did you know the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging has a broad range of support services for family caregivers, including Caregiver Support Coordination, Respite Care, Caregiver Information Services, and Caregiver Counseling?
The following are eligibility criteria.
- The caregiver cannot be paid for his/her services;
- Either the caregiver or care receiver must live in Collin, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell or Wise County;
- The caregiver must be:
- caring for someone who is at least 60 years of age
- caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s or a related dementia
- be at least 55 years of age and have primary custody of a grandchild who is under the age of 18; or
- be at least 55 years of age and care for a relative who has severe disabilities
Some programs, such as Caregiver Support Coordination, have additional eligibility criteria.
Caregiver Support Coordination
Caregiver Support Coordination provides temporary assistance to caregivers who are caring for loved ones at risk of premature institutionalization. The program’s case managers assess the needs of family caregivers and arrange services that support their goals. These services include respite care, minor home modifications, leasing of emergency response devices, and purchase of health-related goods and supplies not covered by insurance.
The program gives priority to caregivers who care for someone who has Alzheimer’s and/or impairments of two or more activities of daily living; care for someone who has been hospitalized within the last two weeks; have had to cut back on work hours because of care responsibilities, and/or has experienced physical/emotional problems because of care responsibilities; care for someone who has no other support — either paid or unpaid; and live in the same home as the care receiver. Visit the Area Agency on Aging referrals page to access screening criteria and referral forms for Caregiver Support Coordination services, as well as criteria for the Care Coordination and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren programs. You can also call 1-800-272-3921 to get more information or make a referral.
Caregiver Respite Care
The Caregiver Respite program gives family caregivers a temporary break from their caregiving responsibilities. It issues vouchers to caregivers so they can make arrangements with providers they trust. The standard one-time benefit is $800, which can be used all at once or gradually over a three-month period.
Caregiver Information Services
The North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging has resource specialists and contractors who provide general information and connect caregivers with programs that support their care goals. Call 800-272-3921 to speak with an Area Agency on Aging resource specialist.
We’ve created publications to help caregivers understand their options for resources in the community. Visit the Aging Services publications page.
Contracted services include:
- Family Caregivers Online – This web site, developed by contractor Zanda Hilger, contains educational materials, resource links, and more.
- Workshops conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association of North Central Texas – Caregivers who live in Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, and Wise counties can call the North Central Texas chapter at 817-336-4949 for dates and locations. Caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s can also call the Alzheimer’s Association’s national helpline at 1-800-272-3900.
- Caregiver Counseling – The Wellness Center of Collin County provides face-to-face individual and group counseling to family members who are caring for older adults.
- REACH – TX – The Alzheimer’s Association of North Central Texas provides intensive education and support to caregivers of loved ones with dementia who live in Erath, Hood, Johnson, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, and Wise counties. Services are available in both English and Spanish. Call 817-336-4949 for more information.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program provides temporary assistance to grandparents who have primary custody of grandchildren under the age of 18. The program’s case managers assess the needs of grandparents and arrange services that support their goals. These services include respite vouchers that can be used for day care or summer camp, help with back-to-school clothing and supplies, benefits counseling, and consultations with attorneys to establish guardianship.
The program gives priority to grandparents who care for grandchildren who are medically fragile or have special needs; care for more than one person (i.e. grandchild, elderly family member, disabled adult); have had a hospitalization within the last four weeks, and/or have experienced physical problems because of their care responsibilities; care for grandchildren who have no other support—either paid or unpaid; and/or have income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level ($1,560 for an individual, or $2,113 for a couple). Visit the Area Agency on Aging referrals page to access screening criteria and referral forms for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren services. You can also call 1-800-272-3921 to get more information or make a referral.
Local and State Services for Family Caregivers
The North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging contracts with local organizations to provide nutrition services—including home-delivered and congregate meals—and transportation services. Transportation is available by reservation only, within county limits. For more information about nutrition or transportation services, use our service map and click on your county.
Training & Support Groups
- Trainings conducted by James L. West Dementia Care Center, including Dealing with Dementia, Stress-Busting for Family Caregivers, Dementia Live, and Compassionate Touch
- Training conducted by the Community for Permanent Supported Housing to help parents of children with severe disabilities prepare for greater independence
- Trainings coordinated by Marty Mascari on aging and caregiving topics
- Trainings coordinated by the Senior Source on caregiving topics
- Trainings coordinated by Meals on Wheels Senior Services on caregiving topics
- Trainings coordinated by Caregiver Transitions for Spanish-speaking caregivers
- Support groups for people with dementia and their family caregivers, coordinated by the Alzheimer’s Association
Contact Information:
Doni Green, Director of Aging
Phone: 1-800-272-3921 | Fax: 817-695-9274 | dgreen(at)nctcog.org
