{"id":8899,"date":"2016-03-17T16:57:06","date_gmt":"2016-03-17T21:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?page_id=8899"},"modified":"2016-03-17T17:10:43","modified_gmt":"2016-03-17T22:10:43","slug":"dallas-support-groups-for-caregivers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/dallas-support-groups-for-caregivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas Support Groups for Caregivers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dallas Support Groups for Caregivers<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Family caregivers do some of the most important work in our society, and some of the hardest. As the population ages and more people care for loved ones, non-profit groups, city and county agencies, states, and health care systems are offering more support services for caregivers. It\u2019s not only OK to take regular breaks, it\u2019s necessary for your well-being. Here are 4 great resources for caregiver benefit and support programs in Dallas.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Alzheimer\u2019s Association of Greater Dallas<\/h2>\n

The Dallas chapter of the national Alzheimer\u2019s Association serves more than 30 North Texas counties with educational programming, support groups and other services for the public, professionals, Alzheimer\u2019s patients, and their families. \u00a0There are several ways Alzheimer\u2019s caregivers can get help from the group.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Changing Gears<\/b> program combines 8 weeks of classes for early-stage patients with a follow-up series of separate support group meetings for patients and their family caregivers. <\/span><\/p>\n

Caregiver\u2019s Day Out<\/b> programs give you a chance to run errands, exercise, visit with friends or just take a nap while your loved one enjoys social time and supervision. Check the Caregiver\u2019s Day Out <\/span>page<\/span><\/a> for current schedules, fees (if any), and registration contacts. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can find always-on support by <\/span>phone<\/b> at (800) 272-3900<\/span> and <\/span>online<\/b> in the Alzheimer\u2019s Association\u2019s <\/span>forums<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

In-person caregiver <\/span>support groups<\/b> meet at locations around the Metroplex. Among the locations are the Baylor AT&T Memory Center, the Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center, the Metrocrest Farmers Branch Senior Center, Arden Courts and Cottonwood Creek in Richardson, Oxford Glen in Carrollton, and Brookdale in Plano. Find the groups nearest you with the <\/span>Community Resource Finder<\/span><\/a>; click the \u201cAlzheimer\u2019s Association Programs and Events\u201d tab and then select \u201cSupport Groups.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Dallas Area Agency on Aging<\/h2>\n

Dallas County residents age 60 or older and their caregivers can <\/span>contact<\/span><\/a> the Dallas Area Agency on Aging for benefits eligibility and program information. The agency contracts with local groups and works with the state to help seniors and caregivers with stress reduction, care planning and case management, and respite care vouchers for caregivers whose loved one needs help with 2 or more activities of daily living. Call (214) 871-5065.<\/span><\/p>\n

VA North Texas Health System<\/h2>\n

Family caregivers for senior veterans can use support <\/span>resources<\/span><\/a> from the North Texas VA. VA caregiver support can take the form of: <\/span><\/p>\n

peer support groups where new and experienced caregivers exchange ideas and information<\/span><\/p>\n

a national hotline for VA caregiver support and information at (855) 260-3274<\/span><\/p>\n

adult day centers that provide care so family members can take a break<\/span><\/p>\n

home respite care <\/span><\/p>\n

telehealth and home-based primary care for caregivers whose loved one cannot travel for doctor appointments<\/span><\/p>\n

homemaker help, home health aides, and skilled nursing care at home to relieve the family caregiver workload<\/span><\/p>\n

hospice care at home<\/span><\/p>\n

The first step is contacting the Dallas caregivers support coordinator at (214)\u00a0857-0162 to find out what services you and your loved one may be eligible to receive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Texas DADS Caregiver Services<\/h2>\n

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability <\/span>Services<\/span><\/a> can help you find Dallas-area respite care providers and support services. They can also give you information about Medicaid programs that may cover the cost of respite care. For more information and instructions on how to apply for DADS services, call 211 or (800) 252-9240.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Learn more about Caregiving in Dallas, TX<\/a>.<\/p>\n