Family caregivers are critical to the success of seniors and people with disabilities living in the community. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that in 2012 30,000 Vermont caregivers provided 34 million hours of unpaid care to people with dementia. DAIL supports family caregivers through a number of activities including Dementia Respite Grants, the National Family Caregiver Program (NFCP) and support to Vermont Kin as Parents.
The Dementia Respite Grant and the NFCP programs are managed by Vermont’s five Area Agencies on Aging. These efforts help family caregivers by reducing stress, maintaining their health, and continuing their caregiving roles. Grants may be used to pay for a range of services including in-home care, respite care, homemaker services, and Adult Day services.