Counseling for Caregivers:
Counseling is available over the phone, in the office, or in the home if necessary. You can share your concerns about managing both the practical and emotional aspects of caring for a loved one with physical or mental limitations. Counseling is provided by the Caregiver Services Coordinator.

Consultation and Referral Service:
Our caregiver services program can assist you with navigating through the various stages of being a caregiver. We can assist with referrals to programs that may give you a much need break in the home, or someone to stay with your loved one while you work, to assisting you with potentially figuring out what the next stage may be. We can speak to you about your plans and guide you in the next direction.

Caregiver Respite Program:
Taking a break from day to day care giving responsibilities is often referred to as “respite”. It is a short time or rest or relief. Caregiver services through Office for the Aging and partnering agencies provide small respite programs for caregivers. Office for the Aging has three different kinds of respite programs available.
Respite Information

Caregiver Supplemental:
Supplemental services are available to caregivers to purchase services or items not covered by insurance, other programs or other funding sources. This funding is  available on a limited basis and an application is required.
Caregiver Supplemental Application

Caregiver’s Corner Resource Center:
Our caregiver resource center is an information center where care givers can obtain materials pertaining to topics that are of importance to them. We have books and materials available for care givers to borrow and take home, as well as brochures and videos. We have a section of the caregiver resource center that is specifically information from the Alzheimer’s Association. If you don’t find what you are looking for, we are more than happy to do some research to assist you with the information you need.

Caregiver Newsletter:
The Caregiver Newsletter is a quarterly publication that educates and supports caregivers by addressing topics and issues that are of interest to elders and the people who care for them. This newsletter also keeps caregivers informed of upcoming activities in the community.

Winter 2023/2024 Newsletter
Fall 2023 Newsletter
Summer 2023 Newsletter
Spring 2023 Newsletter

Caregiver Education:
Includes workshops, courses and health fairs that are held in the community. A caregiver services person is also available, at no charge, to speak to area churches, businesses and other organizations on a variety of topics related to the elderly.

Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral (T-CARE):

Do you provide unpaid care to a family member, friend, or neighbor who has an illness, disability, memory loss, injury, or special need? I Are you feeling overwhelmed, constantly worried, tired, sad, easily irritated, and/or extremely stressed? You are not alone and there is support available.

• Are you over the age of 18 and caring for an older adult (age 60+)?
• Are you over the age of 18 caring for an individual (any age) with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder (e.g., dementia, traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, chronic traumatic encephalopathy)?
• Are you over the age of 55 and living with and caring for a child (not biological) under the age of 18?
• Are you over the age of 55 and living with and caring for an adult (can be a biological child) aged 18-59 with a disability?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you are eligible for the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). If you would like to learn more about how this program can assist you, please take this short screen for an initial assessment of your wellbeing, and a Program Specialist will reach out to discuss the results. The evidence-based screener asks you to reflect on your experiences and respond to a series of statements based on identified rating scales in each section. This screener is used to help you and the Program Specialist better understand your situation and define an individualized plan to meet your unique caregiving needs.

If you answered no to all the questions above, or you are not interested in taking the evidence-based screen, there is still help available to you through the Any Care Counts - New York (ACC-NY) Campaign which recognizes and supports the millions of unpaid caregivers across the state! Through ACC-NY you can discover your caregiver intensity score by taking the ARCHANGELS Caregiver Intensity Index (CII). It takes just 2 minutes to complete. You will find out whether you are “in the red," "yellow" or "green," and be connected to trusted resources.  

Do you prefer to search resources on your own? Visit the NY Connects Resource Directory. NY Connects links individuals of all ages and their caregivers to long term services and supports and provides one stop access to free, objective, comprehensive information and assistance.

TRUALTA
Trualta is a personalized, skills-based training platform for family members caring for aging loved ones living at home. Are you tired of general information? This learning platform addresses real issues, showing you how with in-depth lessons, practical steps, and guided support from a care manager. Thanks to New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), this platform is free for New York State caregivers. Click HERE to register. 

ARCHANGELS
ARCHANGELS supports caregivers across New York through the Any Care Counts – NY Project.  Take two minutes and get your Caregiver Intensity Score, find out exactly where you could use support, and connect to free or low-cost resources for help near you.  Are you a Veteran caregiver or someone caring for a Veteran? There are also resources specifically for your unique caregiving needs.

Caregiver Support Groups

• Oswego: Meets the First Tuesday of the month from 2:30pm-4pm at the Office for the Aging, 70 Bunner St (temporarily) except for holidays. Starts in August 2023
• Fulton: Meets the Second Tuesday of the month from 2:30-4p at Catholic Charities (conference room B) except for holidays. Starts in July 2023
• Pulaski: Meets the Third Tuesday of the month from 3-4:30pm at Selkirk Landing from 3-4:30pm (Family Welcome Center building) Starts in July (except holidays)

Web Sites For Caregivers

• www.caregiver.com
• www.caregiver.org
• www.mesotheliomacaregiver.com
• www.caregivingcafe.com
• www.caring.com
• www.alz.org
• www.thealzheimerspouse.com
• www.aarp.org
• www.cancercare.org
• www.parkinson.org
• www.myparkinsons.org
• www.wellspouse.org
• Guide to Caregiving for Family Caregivers 

• Guide to Paying for Long Term Care Without Breaking the Bank