Services

Services are available to informal (unpaid) family caregivers who are caring for someone age 60 years or older, or caring for an adult with a condition that occurred after the age of 18 (dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, etc.). Services are offered at no cost. For complete access to all services, the family caregiver must register through a Family Consultant.

Family Consultation

Family Consultation consists of a meeting in person or over the phone with one of the Family Consultants to discuss the caregiving situation. Family Consultants can provide support related to the following:

• Information regarding the diagnosis of a loved one
• Behavior management techniques when a loved one has a cognitive impairment
• Information about how to be a more effective caregiver and other local resources
• A listening ear from someone who understands

Family Consultants are trained and experienced professionals who can share with the family about available services and who help the family develop a strategy for managing their loved one’s care. After the first meeting, the family caregiver may contact their Family Consultant whenever they have a question or a concern regarding their caregiving situation.

Specialized Information

Specialized information is available on topics related to specific conditions and diseases, care options, legal issues, stress reduction, and caregiving issues. Resources are available through our lending library of books and videos, or through printed fact sheets (listed on our Resources page). For more information, contact us at (530) 898-5925 or MCRC@csuchico.edu.

Support Groups

The most valuable support a family caregiver can receive is from a peer — someone who has been through what they are going through and can truly understand what it is like to care for a loved one. Family caregiver support groups meet once a month and are facilitated by trained staff. Caregivers learn strategies and skills to solve problems; maintain their own personal, physical and emotional health; and provide the best care they can for those who are dependent upon them. Support Groups provide a supportive atmosphere to share experiences and ideas as a way to ease the stress of caregiving. Visit our Support Groups page for a current list of groups.

Short-Term Respite 

Respite is designed to provide care for a brief period of time so the caregiver has the opportunity to attend support groups and classes. It’s not intended to supplement long-term care. This service may be provided in the individual’s home, or in an out-of-home setting such as a daycare center or assisted living facility. Respite services alleviate the stress of providing constant care to a loved one and can reduce the likelihood of early out-of-home placement. This service is offered on a limited basis and is dependent upon available funding.

Training

Classes are provided on a variety of topics including communicating with someone who has dementia, finding solutions to basic caregiving problems, skills for day-to-day care, planning for future legal and financial needs, locating available resources, caring for yourself as a caregiver, coping with emotional issues, and communicating with family members and medical professionals. For a description of classes and dates of upcoming events, please visit our Passages Events page.

For recordings of past training and events visit Caregiver Corner!

Short-term Counseling

Caregivers often experience symptoms of depression, anger, or sadness. The causes may be physical, emotional, or a result of a stressful situation. Short term counseling can help with caregiving concerns such as loss, grief, unresolved relationship issues, role changes, anger, frustration, resentment, and conflict feelings. This service is offered on a limited basis and is dependent upon available funding.

Legal Information

Consultation provided by an attorney to address the various legal and financial issues related to caring for an adult. This may include planning for eligibility for public assistance programs, understanding Advance Healthcare Directives and Powers of Attorney. This service is offered on a limited basis and is dependent upon available funding.​

Supplemental Services

Supplemental Services intended to help make caring for a loved one in the home a little easier and safer. Please note that our ability to provide the following services depends on available funding.

• Assistive Devices: The purchase, rental, and/or service fee of equipment to facilitate and fulfill caregiving responsibilities.
• Minor Home Repairs: Minor repairs to a home ranging from installation of grab bars  to replacement of door handles in order to fulfill caregiving responsibilities

Contact Information

530-898-5925 

MCRC@csuchico.edu