UTAH CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM

Family caregivers are encourged to contact their local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to learn more about the caregiver support program in their area. Information and resources, complimentary respite care, individual counseling, community education (including dementia education) and support groups are available. Dementia education focuses on understanding the disease process, how to handle specific behaviors, communication issues and expanding an informal care team.
FEATURES OF UCSP PROGRAM
The Utah Caregiver Support Program (UCSP) assists families and informal (unpaid) caregivers to care for their loved ones in their homes for as long as possible. The program provides five types of services:
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information to caregivers about available services
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assistance to caregivers in gaining access to the services
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individual counseling, organization of support groups, and caregiver training
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respite care (i.e. a break, assistance with personal care for care receiver, homemaking)
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supplemental services (i.e. grab bars, incontinent supplies), on a limited basis
This program has no income requirements. Information, counseling, support groups and caregiver education are available to all caregivers in the community. Respite and supplemental services are provided to the following eligible caregivers based on risk scores for stress:
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Adult family members or other informal caregivers age 18 and older providing care to individuals 60 years of age and older
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Adult family members or other informal caregivers age 18 and older providing care to individuals of any age with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders
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Older relatives (not parents) age 55 and older providing care to children under the age of 18; and
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Older relatives, including parents, age 55 and older providing care to adults ages 18-59 with disabilities
To learn more about the Caregiver Support Program in your area, please contact the Division of Aging & Adult Services or your local Area Agency on Aging:
Utah Caregiver Support Program:
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Utah Division of Aging & Adult Services (state office): https://daas.utah.gov/seniors/ Utah Caregiver Support Program Manager: Nancy Madsen, 801-538-3926, nmadsen@utah.gov
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To find your local Area Agency on Aging and Caregiver Support Program anywhere in the United States:
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1-800-677-1116
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https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
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Type in zip code or city/state and click “Search”
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The local AAA will display and caregiver can call directly and ask to speak with someone about caregiver support.
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Older Adults caring for children (usually grandchildren) under 18 years of age:
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GrandFamilies: https://cssutah.org/services/kinship-care/
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Caring for Persons with Disabilities (any age): https://dspd.utah.gov/eligibility/
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Community Caregiver Education:
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Bear River Area Agency on Aging: Caregiver Academy, Dementia Dialogues
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Davis County Senior Services: Caregiver Academy, Dementia Dialogues
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Five County Area Agency on Aging: Caregiver Academy, Dementia Dialogues, RCI REACH, Dealing with Dementia
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Mountainland Department of Aging (MAG) Dementia Dialogues
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Salt Lake County Aging Services: Caregiver Academy, Stress Busters for Dementia Caregivers, Stress Busters for Chronic Illness
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San Juan County Area Agency on Aging: Dementia Live
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Six County Area Agency on Aging
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Southeastern Utah Area Agency on Aging: Dementia Dialogues, Dementia Live
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Tooele County Aging Services: Dementia Dialogues, Dementia Live; RCI REACH
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Uintah Basin Area Agency on Aging:
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Uintah County Area Agency on Aging:
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Weber Area Agency on Aging: Hybrid Caregiver Education series offered in Fall & Spring
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Additional Caregiver Education Offerings:
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AARP Family Caregiving: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/
AARP Prepare to Care: https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/home-and- family/caregiving/2012-10/PrepareToCare-Guide-FINAL.pdf
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Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Education modules: https://alz.org/help-support/resources/care-training-resources
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UCare modules: http://utahcares.org/caregiver-education-training/
Ancillary Support Services for Caregivers:
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AARP Utah Resource Guide: https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/caregiving/2016/2016-03/ut-caregivers-resource-guide-web.pdf
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Caregiver Support: 801-538-3926 (scroll down on page)
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In-Home & Community Based Services: https://daas.utah.gov/seniors/ (scroll down on page)
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Nutrition: 801-538-3925
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Senior Health Insurance (Medicare) Counseling: https://daas.utah.gov/seniors/ (scroll down to bottom), 1-800-541-7735 (national phone number), Utah: 801-538-4412
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Utah Senior Centers: https://daas.utah.gov/locations/senior-centers/
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Transportation: https://daas.utah.gov/seniors/
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VA Caregiver Website: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/
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Senior Companions: Senior Companions are healthy older adults who help other adults live independently. Senior Companions provide support to family caregivers. They assist with grocery shopping and other daily tasks necessary to maintain independence.
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Bear River: http://brag.utah.gov/senior-companion-program/
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Davis County: https://www.daviscountyutah.gov/health/senior-services/information-referrals/senior-companion-program
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Salt Lake County: https://slco.org/aging-adult-services/companion-services/
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Utah County: http://utahcounty.gov/Dept/Health/SeniorCompanion/index.asp
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Weber County: https://www.weberhs.net/senior-companions
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Alzheimer’s Association Utah Chapter: https://alz.org/utah
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Utah Department of Health: https://agewell.health.utah.gov/ - a very robust caregiver support section is being added to this website with lots of dementia-related resources for caregivers.
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Ancillary Support Service for Caregivers – legal concerns:
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Utah Advanced Directive: https://ucoa.utah.edu/directives/
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The Conversation Project: https://theconversationproject.org/
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Division of Securities (financial fraud of older adults or anyone): https://securities.utah.gov/investors/index.html
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Office of Public Guardian: https://hs.utah.gov/divisions/public-guardian
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Utah Legal Services: https://www.utahlegalservices.org/, 801-374-6766 or 1-800-662-1563
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Utah State Ombudsman: https://daas.utah.gov/long-term-care-ombudsman/, 801-538-3924
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Adult Protection: https://daas.utah.gov/adult-protective-services/