Aging Services ... options and opportunities for your generation

1. Information – Resources, products, providers and services caregivers might need.
2. Assistance – Certified Case Managers work one-on-one with caregivers to plan care, answer questions, listen and lend support.
3. Respite – Brief, intermittent care to give the caregiver a “break”. Services include direct help in the home, adult day care or even assistance with short term nursing home care.
4. Supplemental Services – Limited provision of supplies, equipment, home modifications or repair, or specialized medical equipment and assistive devices.
5. Support Groups – Share the challenges of caregiving in a friendly, luncheon setting with other caregivers.
6. Training – A current list of all available classes can be found on this website on the Resource Roadmap or by calling (801) 468-3480.

For information about classes, support groups, one-on-one care planning, and to apply for respite and/or supplemental services, the primary caregiver needs to call 468-2460 and answer a series of intake questions. These questions take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

The questions are focused on the ability of the caregiver and care receiver to perform common activities of daily living, such as bathing, taking medication, etc. Basic questions regarding the health of the caregiver and the care receiver are also asked. From this information each intake is assigned a risk score—an indication of the need for assistance.

As our goal in Aging Services is to promote independence and keep individuals in their homes as long as safely possible, services are assigned to the highest risk score on the waiting list as funds become available.

A caregiver is an individual who is 18 years or older and is caring for an individual 60 or older who needs help with at least 2 activities of daily living, such as bathing, mobility, dressing, and cooking. There are no financial qualifications for this program.

No. Money is never transferred directly to a caregiver. Caregivers may receive up to $1,500 in services in a twelve month period. Aging Services has contracts with various home health service agencies throughout Salt Lake County.

Services provided are arranged through those contracted companies and are paid through the Caregiver Support Program. If the need continues, caregivers may re-apply for Caregiver Support Program assistance.

No. We do not have a paid family caregiver program.

A full list of available classes can be found in the Resource Roadmap. Currently scheduled classes are listed on the Calendar of Events.

If you wish to request a specific class listed in the Resource Roadmap for a business, community, or family group, please contact Kathy Nelson or call (801) 468-3480.

All classes are free of charge. Time requirements for each class can be adapted to meet the needs of each group.

We sponsor four luncheon support groups. There is a Women’s group, two Adult Childrens groups, and one Men’s caregiver group.

Participants meet at a restaurant to discuss a monthly caregiver topic and current concerns. The support groups are led by Caregiver Support Case Managers. Each participant pays for his or her own lunch. Contact information for each group is found in the Calendar of Events.

Aging Services offers a variety of programs and services, including a nutrition program (Meals on Wheels), Senior activity centers, transportation options, assistance with nursing home concerns (called the Ombudsman program), specific case management, a 55+ Plus Directory, a healthy aging program, various volunteer opportunities and senior employment assistance.

Visit our home page at http://www.aging.slco.org or call (801) 468-2480 to speak to an Outreach worker.

Caregiving can be stressful and complex. There are times when we need someone to talk over options and concerns with – and it’s rarely from 8 to 5 when most resources are open. A few resources in Salt Lake County include:

• 911 – Remember to always dial 911 in an emergency
• Suicide Hotline - 1-800-784-2433 or TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
• Let’s Talk Hotline – 1-800-273-8255
• Valley Behavioral Health – (801) 261-1442
• Alzheimer’s Association – (801) 265-1944