FWC OFFERS A VARIETY OF PROGRAMMING TO ASSIST FAMILY CAREGIVERS

According to the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), in any given year over 50 million people provide some level of caregiving services. Family caregivers provide more than 80% of all home care services. Of today’s family caregivers, 40% provide some level of nursing support. FWC’s Elder Care Department offers several programs that support Delaware’s Family Caregivers: ElderOnline, Grand Time Off (GTO), and the Respite Care Database Project.

ElderOnline provides the general public, the elderly, their caregivers, and elder care professionals with ongoing online access to comprehensive, current information on elder care service providers in and around the state of Delaware. In acknowledgement of Family Caregivers and their many contributions to their families and the community, FWC has expanded its ElderOnline public search option to include a listing of Caregiver Support Services available in Delaware. This will allow caregivers easier access to organizations and services in the community that can provide valuable support and guidance for them.

Grand Time Off (GTO) provides respite for grandparents and relatives who are raising other family members’ children in their own homes, providing the majority of the care for these children. Caregivers can use GTO to help them find and pay for short-term, occasional child care needs. Each eligible caregiver is able to use a subsidy of up to $400 per child to pay for respite child care. The program is managed by The Family & Workplace Connection (FWC) through a contract with the Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Disabilities (DSAAPD).

FWC’s latest endeavor, the Respite Care Database Project is being implemented with funding from the Developmental Disabilities Council. FWC is in the process of expanding its current child care and elder care databases to include information on respite care options for Delaware families who are caring for a loved one with disabilities. Early in 2007, FWC will provide a free search option on its website for families and community professionals to search for respite care options. This database will also provide the community with an overview of the availability of respite care in Delaware and help identify unmet community needs.