Support for Caregivers

Are you a caregiver?

Do you:

  • help with daily activities because your loved one has an impairment of some kind?
  • manage one or a variety of tasks, from personal care and managing the checkbook, to taking blood pressure and giving medication?
  • care for individuals under 18 years of age who are related to you, but are not your children?
  • provide this care personally and organize and monitor the care others provide?
  • provide this care intermittently, regularly or 24/7?
  • find home modifications and/or assistive devices are needed?

We hope you’ll contact the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) SeniorLine and ask for more information about our Caregiver Support Programs.

You can contact the SeniorLine by phone 412-350-5460, toll-free 1-800-344-4319.

About Caregiver Support Programs (CSP)

You have taken on a big and important responsibility – to provide care for a loved one so they can continue living in a home setting.

You may, or may not be related, but you care about their well-being and their wish to avoid moving to a care facility.

At the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS), we know caregiving is a challenge and sometimes the burdens feel heavy and not easy to bear.

DHS values you for your commitment and we want to be there to help you continue to fulfill your goals.

There are several DHS Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Caregiver Support Programs (CSPs) designed specifically for Pennsylvania residents who voluntarily take on a caregiving role for a qualifying loved one.

View a video about the Caregiver Support Program.

CSPs for Caregivers Who Are Older Adults (55 and older)

Caring for a Child Under 18 Years of Age

This program is for you if you are raising a child

  • who resides in your home
  • who is a resident of Allegheny County
  • who is under 18 years of age
  • whose parent is related to you by blood, marriage or adoption and
  • whose parent is unable to care for the child and does not live with you

Caring for a Relative with a Disability from 18 through 59 Years of Age

This program is for you if you care for a relative

  • who resides in your home
  • who is a resident of Allegheny County
  • who is 18 through 59 years of age
  • who is related to you by blood, marriage or adoption and
  • who has a disability

Your relative with a disability must have at least one limitation in one of the following categories

  • "activities of daily living" (ADL)* See below
  • cognitive functioning
  • economic self-sufficiency
  • emotional adjustment
  • independent living
  • language
  • learning
  • mobility

CSPs for Caregivers Who Are Adults (18 and older)

Caring for Either an Older Loved One (60 years of age or older) or an Adult (up to 59 years of age) with Dementia

This program is for you if you care for a loved one

  • who is a resident of Allegheny County
  • who exhibits an inability to perform at least one "activity of daily living" (ADL)* See below
  • who is either over 60 years of age OR
  • who has dementia and is between 18 through 59 years of age

Caring for Either an Older Loved One (60 years of age or older) or a Child (under 18 years of age) with Dementia

This program is for you if you care for a loved one

  • who is a resident of Allegheny County
  • who exhibits an inability to perform at least two "activities of daily living" (ADL)* See below
  • who is 60 years of age or older OR
  • who is under 18 years of age and has dementia

Activities of Daily Living

  • Eating
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
  • Toileting (being able to get on and off the toilet and perform personal hygiene functions)
  • Transferring (being able to get in and out of bed or a chair without assistance)
  • Maintaining continence (being able to control bladder and bowel functions)

Available Benefits through the Caregiver Support Programs

CSPs are designed to ease the stress and burden of eligible caregivers who often become overwhelmed when helping their loved one while managing their own family and work responsibilities at the same time.

The total value of the benefits available to you depends on the income of the household where your loved one resides, but the range of benefits is wide and varied.

Participants are eligible for:

  • Case management
  • Trainings in caregiving skills
  • Access to support groups
  • Information on benefits and resources
  • Assistance completing benefits and insurance forms

CSPs offer a monthly reimbursement for out-of-pocket care-giving supplies such as:

  • Nutritional supplements
  • Disinfectant supplies
  • Incontinence supplies
  • Wound care supplies

CSPs offer volunteer caregivers reimbursement if they need to hire someone (family members cannot be reimbursed for their work) to provide help to their loved one such as:

  • Personal care
  • Meal preparation
  • Medication set-up and assistance
  • Adult day services
  • Respite care

CSPs provide reimbursement grants to make the home more safe and accessible with home modifications or assistive devices such as:

  • Grab bars
  • Bedside toilets
  • Ramps
  • Stair rides
  • Lift chairs

How the Caregiver Support Program Works

  1. You call the Allegheny County DHS Area Agency on Aging SeniorLine at 412-350-5460 or 1-800-344-4319.
  2. You are assigned a care manager.
  3. Your care manager arranges for a home visit to discuss your situation, your needs and the needs of the loved one you are caring for.
  4. Based on what is learned in the conversation, your care manager creates a care plan to meet your needs and those of your loved one.
  5. Your care manager follows up periodically to make sure your supports are meeting your needs.

Classes

Powerful Tools for Caregivers(PDF, 100KB)
This FREE, weekly, six-session series focuses on the needs of the caregiver. Caregivers develop a wealth of self-care tools. Class participants also receive a copy of The Caregiver Help book, developed specifically for the class. Participants are encouraged to commit to all six classes. Click link above to see 2024 virtual class schedule. Registration is required. Link will be provided upon registration. Please contact Suzy Profeta at 412-350-4026 for questions about the upcoming classes.