Oct. 26, 2021

The Johnson County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) receives funding through the Older Americans Act to support caregivers. AAA offers the following services to assist those who are actively caring for a loved one:

•  In-home assessment and care plan development
•  Caregiver counseling
•  Caregiver information resources

These services are available for free to residents of Johnson County who are caregivers for persons 60 and older.

“Caregiver Assistance News” a free monthly newsletter available from the AAA, focuses on topics of interest to caregivers. The newsletter covers such topics as caregiver stress relief, dementia, home safety, emergency preparedness, seasonal safety and end-of-life planning. To receive the newsletter regularly, call 913-715-8860.

In-home assessment and care plan development-Home health agencies are available to come to your home and assess your specific care-giving situation. A registered nurse will talk with you about the needs of the person being cared for; your knowledge, skills, stresses and limitations; others who assist with caregiving; how a caregiver plan can help support your caregiving role.

Based on the assessment, the nurse works with you to develop a caregiver plan. The plan may include:

•  Ways to perform caregiving tasks
•  Education on nutrition, safety, medication compliance, skin care and disease
•  Referral to community resources and support system
•  Balancing your personal life with your caregiving duties

Follow-up phone calls and in-home visits provide encouragement, teaching, skills training, support and an opportunity to address any additional needs.

To request a caregiver assessment contracted with the Area Agency on Aging, you may self-refer by contacting Comfort Keepers/Axiom at 913-385-2636 or Heart of America Home Health at 913-645-1141.

Caregiver counseling AAA partners with community organizations to identify concerns that need attention such as stress, loneliness, family discord, isolation, depression and anxiety. Individual or group counseling sessions may be provided in order to address these needs.

Individual counseling sessions are tailored to the needs of the individual and may include information about skill building, community resources, time management, self-care, problem solving and stress management.

Group counseling sessions focus on problem solving strategies, emotional needs of caregivers and community resources.

For more information, contact: Aging Information at 913-715-8861.

Note: There are no fees for these services funded by the Older Americans Act. Donations are accepted.