SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization

Family Caregiver Support

Although many services also provide assistance to unpaid and family caregivers, the Family Caregiver Support Program specifically addresses the needs of unpaid caregivers. The following services are being provided under this new program.

In-Home Respite

This service provides short-term care and supervision of care receivers, to relieve the client's caregivers and help prevent caregivers' burnout. This service is provided in the client's own home for a short amount of time. The case manager must evaluate an individual's need for respite and authorize the provider to initiate services.

Outreach

In Santa Cruz County, a home health agency community nurse reaches out to currently identified family caregivers, and collaborates with other agencies in finding other family caregivers. Caregivers thus identified are given information about services that are available, and about how to care for an elder who is in need of caregiving. The nurse is bilingual, and assists caregivers in both Spanish and English.

For information contact 520-761-3211.

Caregiver Training

In Cochise County caregiver workshops are held each month in Sierra Vista, and additional workshops are held periodically in most of the smaller communities. These workshops help caregivers examine their feelings, identify resources, and develop coping skills. These workshops also help caregivers find meaning and reward in their caregiving situations, which has been shown to reduce perceptions of burden, and help them cope more effectively with the demands of caregiving. In addition, monthly newsletters are sent to family caregivers.

For information contact 520-432-9681.

Case Management for Caregivers

In Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties, case management staff were increased in order to develop a new component in which the caregiver is the client. Existing case managers identify family and other unpaid caregivers, who are currently caring for elders. Case managers are uniquely able to reach family caregivers of individuals with severe limitations, who would better respond to services delivered to their homes. Case managers help educate caregivers about how to perform their roles more effectively, and how to interface with formal caregivers. Case managers are prepared to tell caregivers about community education and resources, or caregiver training that is available. Case managers listen to caregivers' needs, taking into account rural and cultural concerns. They work to enable caregivers to make informed decisions, to learn skills needed for specific caregiving situations, and to develop coping strategies. In Cochise County, films from the video loan library are available to caregivers.

For information contact 520-432-9681 in Cochise and 520-375-7960 in Santa Cruz.

Adaptive Aids and Devices

In Graham County, adaptive aids are authorized by case managers when these complement the care provided by the family or unpaid caregiver.

For information contact 928-428-3229.

Home Repair and Adaptation

In Graham County home repair and adaptation are authorized by case managers when these complement the care provided by the family or unpaid caregiver.

For information contact 928-428-3229.

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