Illinois e-News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 1, 2022
CONTACT:
Iris Schweier
773-636-8802
Department on Aging Recognizes National Family Caregivers Month
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is raising awareness of support services available to unpaid family caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month, an observance spearheaded by the
Caregiver Action Network and celebrated every November.
“Most everyone has been, or will be, a caregiver at some point in their life,” said IDoA Director Paula Basta. “Caregiving is a near universal experience, and it is an act of love, but the physical, emotional and financial demands of caregiving can lead to high stress levels and burnout. Illinois’ Aging Network offers a variety of resources for anyone who needs support in their role as a caregiver.”
Unpaid family caregivers are a primary source of support for older adults and persons with disabilities; however, many caregivers experience conflicts between providing care and competing responsibilities, such as work, raising children and caring for their own health. Studies show that coordinated support services can reduce caregiver depression, anxiety and stress, and enable them to provide care longer, which avoids or delays the need for placement of the care recipient in a long-term care facility.
Since July 1, IDoA has distributed $4 million in state funding, plus additional federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, to Illinois’ regional Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to strengthen support services for unpaid family caregivers. Depending on where in the state a caregiver resides, available services may include:
- Respite care, which allows family caregivers to take a break from the daily routine of caregiving. Respite care can take place in the home, at adult day care centers, or at residential or nursing facilities that offer overnight stays.
- One-on-one counseling, support groups, and workshops to help family caregivers cope with the demands of caregiving and identify signs of burnout before it becomes unmanageable.
IDoA also provided funding to the AAAs to purchase TCARE, an assessment tool that identifies the stressors of individual caregivers and provides personalized tools and resources to support their caregiving journey. Many communities have designated caregiver specialists who conduct the TCARE assessments and are available on an ongoing basis to share information and connect caregivers to specific services and tools. To find a caregiver specialist in your area, please call 1-800-252-8966 or contact your local
AAA.
IDoA serves and advocates for older Illinoisans and their caregivers by administering quality and culturally appropriate programs that promote partnerships and encourage independence, dignity, and quality of life. For information about the Department’s programs and services for older adults and persons with disabilities, visit
https://www2.illinois.gov/aging/programs or contact the Senior HelpLine toll-free at 1-800-252-8966, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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