Support for Family Caregivers

Family caregivers that have strong support help those they care for stay in their homes longer and improve their quality of life. Family caregivers can be caring for an older relative, a spouse or partner, a child, a grandchild or some other relative. Also, a family caregiver could be caring for someone who is not a relative, but the relationship is such it feels like family.

A caregiver’s age can range from young adulthood to old age and the age of the person being cared for can be from birth to old age. Caregivers themselves, face many challenges of their own. These can include:

Physical and emotional stress
Less time for their personal and family life
Balancing work and caregiving
Financial hardship

Caregiver programs concentrate on the caregiver so that they feel supported, understand their options, and have access to services about how to take care of themselves as well as the person (or persons) they care for:

Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP): The Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) is a service available to unpaid caregivers of adults needing care and living in Washington State. Learn more...
Kinship Navigator Program (KNP): The financial, legal, and emotional issues of raising a relative’s child can be challenging. Services and support when raising a relative’s child can be a lifesaver. Washington’s Kinship Navigator program provides information, referral, and follow-up services to grandparents and other relatives raising children to link them to the benefits and supports that they or the children need. Learn more...
Kinship Caregiver Support Program (KCSP): Often Kinship Caregivers face immediate financial challenges they have difficulty meeting. The Kinship Caregivers Support Program can provide financial help for Kinship Caregivers who are income eligible to meet short term needs. Learn more...
Lifespan Respite: LifeSpan Respite Washington is a coalition that meets regularly to promote the development of quality respite and crisis care programs and assist families in locating respite and crisis care services in their communities. Learn more...
Individual and Family Services Program (IFS): The Individual and Family Services Program supports families who are caring for a family member with a developmental disability in their home. The program provides families with some of the supports necessary to keep eligible individuals at home with parents or relatives. Learn more...

Connect with Your Local CLC.

Washington’s Community Living Connections staff are available to help you explore your options to meet your current needs or create a plan for the future.

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Are you concerned about Memory Loss for Yourself or Someone Else?

Answer 5 Short Questions in this Family Questionnaire

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Veterans Administration Caregiver Support: The VA provides benefits and services for Veterans, but it also has a number of services designed specifically to support family members and friends in their role as Family Caregivers. It has several support and service options designed with the caregiver in mind. The programs are available both in and out of the veteran and caregiver’s home to help the family member provide care for the Veteran as well as for the caregiver. Learn more...
Medicaid lternative Care: This program provides services to unpaid family caregivers who are caring for Medicaid eligible adults ages 55 and older. Family caregivers can access supports to continue to provide high-quality care and to focus on their own health and well-being. Learn more...
Tailored Supports for Older Adults: This program provides supportive services to either an unpaid family caregiver who is caring for an adult age 55 and older or to someone who is age 55 or older and living at home without a caregiver. Learn more...