Caregiver Resources
According to the Administration on Aging, families, not social service agencies, nursing homes, or government programs, are the mainstay underpinning long-term care for seniors in the United States. More than 22.4 million persons are informal caregivers – providing unpaid help to older persons who live in the community and have a chronic disease or disability. The economic value of our nation's family and informal caregivers has been estimated at $257 billion annually. Although these caregivers are dedicated to providing the best possible care to their loved ones, they should not try to go it alone. To maintain their own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, caregivers should utilize every resource available to put together a care team of friends, family members, neighbors and professionals.Â
Education & General Resources
Alzheimer's Project of Tallahassee & Tallahassee Senior Services
Powerful Tools for Caregivers Classes
Phone: 850-386-2778 or 891-4003
Contact: Louise EngleÂ
Website:Â talgov.com
A six-week class designed to enable caregivers to better care for themselves. Open to all caregivers, including those caring for persons with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke or any other illness. Call for more information and to pre-register, or to inquire about hosting a class at your church or another location. Classes also available on "how to be a friend to a caregiver."
Alzheimer Rural Care Healthline (ARCH)
Phone:
866-788-2724
Telephone intervention to help rural caregivers deal with stress and depression and learn problem-solving techniques.
Area Agency on Aging for North Florida - Family Caregiver Support Initiative
2414 Mahan Drive
Phone: 850-488-0055
Contact: aaanf@elderaffairs.org
Website: aaanf.org
Education, evaluation, supportive counseling, legal counseling, and financial counseling for eligible caregivers. The AAANF also sponsors two Caregiver Forums each year in Tallahassee and Panama City.
Elder Care Services
2518 West Tennessee Street
Phone: 850-921-5554
Website: ecsbigbend.org
Care management, homemaker, personal care, adult day care, adult day health care, Alzheimer's and general respite care, emergency alert response, Meals on Wheels, congregate meals, transportation and volunteer services.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Memory Disorder Clinic
1401 Centerville Road, #504
Phone: 850-431-5001
Contact: Judith Shipman
Website: tmh.org/neuroscience/memorydis.htm
One of 13 MDCs in Florida funded through the Department of Elder Affairs, provides screening, treatment and counseling for individuals with suspected of Alzheimer's disease.
Parkinson's Center
1401 Centerville Road, #504
Phone: 850-431-5082
Contact: jones-w@mail.tmh.org
Website: tmh.org/parkinsonsctr.htm
Speaker's Bureau for providing training for professionals; conducts caregiver presentations on a variety of topics.
Website Resources
- Today's Caregiver Magazine: caregiver.com
- Empowering Caregivers:Â care-givers.com
- Family Caregiving Alliance National Center on Caregiving: caregiver.org
- National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA): nfcacares.org
- Family Caregiving & Eldercare Resources: strengthforcaring.com
Day Respite Care
Claire Bridge Memory Care
1980 Centre Pointe Blvd.
Phone: 850-309-7500
Respite Day Program for older adults with memory impairment, offered 7 days a week, from 1-8 hours. Fees: $15 an hour; long-term care insurance may be accepted.
Alzheimer's Project of Tallahassee
317 East Call Street
Phone: 850-386-2778
Contact: brooks@alzheimerproject.org
In-home respite care through volunteers, up to 6 hours a week. Amount of respite services based on the caregiver's need and the availability of the volunteers. Fees: Free
Elder Care Services Adult Day Stay
2518 West Tennessee Street
Phone: 850-921-5554
Website: ecsbigbend.org
Supervised day care, scheduled respite care and emergency respite services to individuals with primary caregivers through numerous programs. Fees: Contributions encouraged.
Tallahassee Memorial Adult Day Services
Phone: 850-531-0712
Supervised day care for adults with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease
Many assisted living communities offer short-term overnight respite on a space available basis. Call the Tallahassee Senior Center at 891-4000 for a list.
Support Groups
Big Bend Parkinson's Support Group
Phone: 850-431-5001
Caregiver Support Group
Area Agency on Aging Family Caregiver Support Initiative
Phone: 850-562-4123
Caregiver Support Group
Alzheimer's Project, Inc.
Phone: 850-386-2778
Caregiver support groups are available in several of the counties surrounding Tallahassee. Call 488-0055 for details.
Safety for Wanderers
Project Lifesaver
Phone: 850-386-2778
A wrist transmitter and tracking signal for quick location and rescue of missing persons. Distributed by the Alzheimer's Project in partnership with the Leon County Sheriff's Department.