New Support Resources For New York Caregivers

White Plains, NY (Law Firm Newswire) November 14, 2013 – New York State has more than 4 million people who are providing unpaid care for a loved one who is elderly, frail or ill.

If those individuals were being paid for their time, elder care advocates say, their combined salaries would amount to more than $32 billion. Most of those caregivers do not have their own support system, leaving countless people exhausted and stressed, while struggling to maintain a level of care for someone who depends on them. When it comes to supporting caregivers, according to a recent report by the AARP, New York State ranks last. Elder care advocates are trying to change that.

The Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program was enacted by Congress in 2000, an amendment to the Older Americans Act. The amendment was designed to protect older individuals who need assistance for activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing and dressing. The new program was designed to recognize the role and responsibilities placed upon the caregivers of seniors and to address their needs.

Now the Older Americans Act is working to meet the needs of beneficiaries under the age of 60. To qualify, a beneficiary must be providing care for a friend, neighbor or family member who is 60 or older. Older relatives and grandparents who are providing care for a grandchild 18 or younger are also likely to qualify for the new program. Services being offered to caregivers include counselling, training, support groups, respite, supplemental services, assistance and information.

New York City caregivers can access the NYCCaregiver website to connect with resources offered under the National Family Caregiver Support Program, in tandem with the Department for the Aging. The NYCCaregiver website offers current information and support for caregivers focused on an array of culturally diverse resource links in an effort to support the wide variety of individuals who are offering caregiving support to the people of New York. For more information, go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/caregiver.

To learn more, visit http://www.elderlawnewyork.com/