Caregiver Program

Support We Offer

• Information & Resources unique to the needs of Family Caregivers
• TCARE personal caregiver screen, assessment and care plan with follow up services and possible referral to respite services
• Support Groups facilitated by a Caregiver Specialist, click on our Facebook link below for our current schedule.
• Situational Consultations and Support to help cope with the changes and challenges with caregiving
• Caregiver Training and Education to increase skill building and self-care
• Home Visits to help evaluate your current scenario and offer tips for ease of care and safety
• Films that address caregiving challenges and help develop your caregiving techniques

How this Caregiver Program Differs from Others

Unlike many other caregiver programs available, we are federally, state and county funded. What is attractive to both Policy Makers and the Washington State Legislature is that the Family Caregiver Program services (funded by non-Medicaid dollars) can help families delay the point at which they must turn to Medicaid. This delay not only helps Washington families stay together, it also benefits the State budget.

Your Tax Dollars at Work

There is an estimated 850,000 unpaid family caregivers in Washington State who are the backbone of our State’s long-term care system. They provide 80% of the services their loved ones need to remain in the home for as long as possible. Their caregiving efforts in WA are the equivalent of $10.6 billion annually in paid care. These caregivers need support to prolong their ongoing caregiver activities, as well as ensure their own mental and physical health stays intact while coping with related challenges. Statewide data indicates that high-intensity caregivers are five times more likely than non-caregivers to have severely poor health. If family caregivers become unavailable, it’s likely care recipients would need to use more costly in-home or assisted living services. The current level of State funding allows the Family Caregiver Program to serve about 1% of the 850,000 caregivers in the State.

We encourage you to be one of the 1%.