60-Plus: Resources for Family Caregivers

If you are a caregiver for an elder, or if you’re a senior citizen caring for a minor child, the Senior HelpLine has resources that may help you. Our caregiver support program can connect you with many options: information, support groups, respite grants, wellness programs and more.

However, as www.sageusa.org reminds us, one of the biggest obstacles in caregiving is recognizing that you ARE a caregiver!  

You may feel that what you do for your friend, loved one, or relative is just what we do for each other when there's a need. But when you think about it… running errands, paying bills, driving to appointments, buying medications, arranging home care, helping to dress… no matter what the task, it's all caregiving.

Often the responsibilities grow until you’re overwhelmed and hard-pressed to take care of your own needs and other responsibilities.

The benefit of knowing that you are a caregiver is that you realize you’re not alone in the challenge of keeping your life in balance, and that there are services available to help lighten the load.

We at Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging and Senior Solutions understand what it’s like to be a caregiver for a relative or friend.  That’s why we offer various types of support to help you succeed and also take care of yourself.

We can answer your questions, help you find a support group, and in many cases, provide short-term relief (respite care) so you can take time to care for your own needs.

Here’s what one Brattleboro caregiver said about our caregiver support program: "It's been great because I have a full time job and I was the only caregiver for my mom. Then she had a stroke, and I had no help at all. My mom is great, she's fun, I love her, but I was exhausted. So having this available is fantastic."

Our counselors can help you assess your elder’s short-term and long-term needs and options, so you’ll feel more confident about the future.  And we can connect you with local programs and resources to meet your needs.

You can access this entire spectrum of help, by simply calling the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-642-5119.