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AARP Releases Directory of Resources for North Carolina Family Caregivers

AARP has published a 2014 North Carolina Family Caregiving Guide ( 222086_NCguide_Screen) that will assist the estimated 1.7 million family caregivers in the state when they are seeking information and resources to help them take care of individuals who need assistance.

AARP North Carolina Executive Council Member Cheryl Schramm of Wilmington knows about the challenges of caregiving first-hand. Schramm, who helped provide care to her late husband as well as an elderly neighbor said, “Caring for a family member or friend can be a positive and rewarding experience. However, the physical, emotional and financial demands can sometimes be overwhelming and stressful.”

Family caregivers are those who care for relatives or friends and they can help in many ways -- whether it’s providing direct financial support, managing a person’s finances, doing household chores, assisting with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, toileting and feeding, providing transportation, administering medicine and much more.

According the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, nearly one-quarter of the state’s adults are providing regular care or assistance to an older adult with a long-term illness of disability. Half report that the care recipient has memory loss, confusion, or shows signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Schramm said, “The challenges caregivers face are enormous. More than half of all caregivers are employed, either full–time or part-time, and are balancing work with their caregiver role. The North Carolina Family Caregiving Guide was designed to help people access caregiving resources to navigate an often confusing, but ultimately rewarding world of caregiving.

The Guide includes information and contacts for state and local government resources including support organizations, geriatric evaluation and assessment centers, caregiver support services, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), low-income energy assistance, prescription drug assistance and more. It also provides links to important programs with benefits for caregivers such as Medicare and Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act as well as information about federal and state tax benefit resources.

The state’s 16 Area Agencies on Aging and local aging agencies also administer a number of supportive services programs including home-delivered meals, adult day-care centers, transportation and more. The Guide lists the family caregiver resource specialists in each of the area agencies.

Schramm said, “Regardless of where in North Carolina you live, there is available health.  However, with our state’s aging population, the demand is quickly growing. At public forums being held over the next several days in Goldsboro, Eden and Charlotte, we will be hearing from many family caregivers, many of whom are currently on waiting lists for help. AARP is urging the state to keep up with the growing demand for services.

Download a copy of the Guide here >> 222086_NCguide_Screen

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