COASEV can provide relief in the form of supportive grants to the growing population of caregivers in Windsor and Windham Counties. The Springfield office has dedicated staff members who facilitate the process of getting the helpful grants to the people who need them.
COASEV administer grants from different foundations and government sources. One such grant is the Dementia Respite Grant. “This grant provides breathing room to caregivers,” says Sarah Corey, Respite Grants Manager at the COASEV. “Its goal is to keep elders in the community instead of nursing homes for as long as possible.”
The grant can give unpaid primary caregivers a well deserved break that can help avoid burnout. The award amount is based on need. It can help pay for such things as hands-on physical care at home, adult day care, and time and services from someone who comes in to take over while the caregiver goes out for errands, shopping, social activities, or R&R.
The Dementia Respite Grant is awarded on a first come, first serve basis, and can be renewed from year to year. Eligibility is based on a diagnosis of dementia, absence of other respite options, and income.
“The golden thing about this grant is that it’s very flexible,” says Corey. “It can meet a very specific need of the caregiver, who is the real beneficiary.” Senior caregivers often have medical issues of their own. Poor health either prevents them from easily caring for the loved one, or it can be made worse by trying to administer the care. They may have a physical condition or cognitive weakness that will be exacerbated by attempting to be the sole caregiver.
When elder spouses are caught in this spot, the physical hands-on care and daily oversight of a deteriorating partner can turn into a safety issue for both. Often it is the family physician who directs the caretaking spouse to the Council on Aging for respite assistance, where a caseworker helps identify and secure a respite grant.
A grant from the federally funded National Family Caregiver Support Program is often an option. It is a grant for primary unpaid caregivers who supervise someone over 60 who needs assistance with two or more activities of daily living (such as eating, bathing, dressing, grooming). There are no income guidelines, just a statement of need. “This grant is a supplement that allows the caregiver to keep on giving care longer because their stress can be lessened by getting outside help,” says Corey.
There are approximately 27 million caregivers in the U.S. They are unpaid, often on call 24/7, and juggle jobs and other family responsibilities while caring for aging parents or loved ones with disabilities. Many are isolated, stressed, and unaware that they have the special job title of “caregiver.” They are just doing what they think is right.
For this quickly growing demographic there is help. The Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont is there to assist Vermont caregivers find the financial and emotional support they need. Through special grants caregivers can get a break, keep loved ones at home, make better care-related decisions, and connect to services that help make their labor of love a little easier.
