Larimer County Caregiver

 

   Larimer County Caregiver: We support you, so you can care for them.

"The Larimer County Office on Aging recognizes that the family caregiver journey requires much courage and is one many of us will walk someday. However, a large number of caregivers do not self identify as one. We want Larimer County caregivers to recognize their strength, know they belong to this community, and reach out when they need support."

-Family Caregiver Support Program Staff with the Larimer County Office on Aging

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Larimer County Human Services Powerful Tools for Caregivers Free 6-Week Program

In this six-week, evidence-based class, family caregivers will learn 35 tools to avoid burnout, lessen stress, stop negative self-talk, strengthen communication, convey needs, and deal with difficult emotions.

For all classes below, except where noted otherwise, use this Google Form to register. Registration is required to attend.

 

2027 Class Schedule Coming Soon!

The goal of the Family Caregiver Support Program is to make life less stressful for people who are taking care of a relative or friend. We do this by connecting caregivers to local resources, support groups, counseling, and helpful classes.

How to Get Started:

  1. The First Step: You will need to fill out a form called the Family Caregiver Support Assessment. This questionnaire helps us understand your specific situation. You can ask the office to mail or email this form to you.
  2. Getting Help: If you get stuck on the form, a case manager can sit down and help you finish it during your first meeting.
  3. First Meeting: We will work with you to pick a convenient time to talk. We can talk with you over the phone, do a video call, or even visit you in person.

Caregiver Respite Voucher Program Overview

Taking care of a family member or friend can be demanding. This program gives caregivers a much-needed break (respite) by helping pay for someone else to step in and look after your loved one for a little while.

Where Can Care Take Place?

  • At Home: You can hire someone to come to the house.
  • In the Community: You can drop your loved one off at an adult day care program, or they can do a short-term stay at an assisted living or nursing home.

Who Can Provide the Care?

You can hire a professional home care company, or you can choose to pay a friend, neighbor, or a family member (as long as that family member doesn't live in the same house).

Rules to Qualify:

To get this voucher, the person being taken care of (the "care receiver") must:

  1. Live in Larimer County.
  2. Be 60 years or older OR be under 60 with a doctor's diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.
  3. Need help from another person to do at least two basic body tasks (like bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, walking, or getting out of bed) OR they must need 24/7 supervision because of memory or behavior struggles.
  4. They also cannot be getting respite help through Long-Term Care Medicaid waivers.

How to Get Paid Back:

  1. Pay First: You must pay for the care services out of pocket first.
  2. Approved Dates Only: The voucher only covers care that happens after your voucher is officially approved and given to you.
  3. Send the Form: Fill out a "Request for Payment" form, sign it, and send it back to the Office on Aging. They will mail you a check to refund your money.
  4. Deadlines: Vouchers don't automatically renew. You have to track your own spending so you don't go over your limit. There are two periods per year:
    • July 1 – December 31 (Turn in paperwork by December 15)
    • January 1 – June 30 (Turn in paperwork by June 15)

Thank you to Easter Seals Colorado, https://www.easterseals.com/co/, for their grant to help support this respite voucher program! 

Grand Family Respite Voucher Program Overview

A "Grandfamily" is a grandparent or older relative raising a child. This program gives these older relatives a break (respite) by helping pay for temporary childcare or help around the house.

What the Voucher Can Pay For:

  • Babysitting: Having someone watch the kids at home.
  • House Chores: Getting help with cleaning around the house.
  • Programs: Daycare, summer camps, or after-school programs.

Who Can Watch the Kids?

You can hire a professional company, or you can choose to pay a friend, neighbor, or a family member (as long as that family member doesn't live in the same house).

Rules to Qualify:

To get this voucher, the caregiver must:

  1. Live in Larimer County.
  2. Be 55 years or older.
  3. Be the full-time, primary guardian for a child who is 17 years old or younger.
  4. Be a relative by blood, marriage, or adoption (like a grandparent, step-grandparent, aunt, or uncle).

Considerations:

  • We will talk with you to figure out how much money you can get. The amount can depend on how much funding the county has left.
  • Because funds are limited, priority goes to people with the greatest financial need, low-income minority families, people living in rural areas, and those raising children with severe disabilities.
  • Households can only get one voucher every six months, even if you are raising multiple kids.
  • It is important to track your own spending. If you spend more than the voucher amount, the county will not pay you back for the extra costs.

How to Get Paid Back:

  1. Pay First: You must pay for the childcare or cleaning yourself first.
  2. Approved Dates Only: The voucher only covers services that happen after your voucher is officially approved and issued.
  3. Send the Form: Fill out a "Request for Payment" form, sign it, and mail or email it back to the Office on Aging. They will mail you a check to refund your money.
  4. Deadlines: Vouchers don't automatically renew. There are two periods per year:
    • July 1 – December 31 (Turn in paperwork by December 15)
    • January 1 – June 30 (Turn in paperwork by June 15)

Thank you to Easter Seals Colorado, https://www.easterseals.com/co/, for their grant to help support this respite voucher program! 

If the Office on Aging doesn't have the exact program you need, we can connect you with other local resources that can help. Every year, we update the Answers on Aging Resource Guide, which is packed with contact information for community partners who support older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers.

Access the online version of the Answers on Aging Resource Guide here.


Office on Aging

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