Skip to main content

Caregiver help and information

Learn more about caregiver supports, tips and resources.
Skip table of contents

Table of Contents

You skipped the table of contents section.

Are you a Caregiver?

View transcript of Are you a caregiver? 

Caregiver News

For more information on policy updates, research and caregiving in the news visit the Massachusetts Family Caregiver Support Program newsletter.

Caregiving: You’re Not Alone

"There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers." – Rosalynn Carter
53 million Approximately 53 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the last 12 months [1].
16.3 million About 16.3 million adult family caregivers care for someone with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disorder [2].

How Can the Family Caregiver Support Program Help?

 

Family Caregiver Specialists can, at no cost to you, facilitate…

Access

  • Refer you to services and resources in your community

Counseling and training

  • Advise you one-on-one
  • Help you plan for care wherever your loved one lives
  • Organize caregiver support groups
  • Run workshops and training
  • Provide educational materials

Respite care

  • Relieve you temporarily from your caregiving responsibilities so you can get the rest and respite you need

Hiring In-Home Help and Support

Family caregivers cannot do everything all the time and may want to consider hiring someone to help. Finding the right person to help your family member can be complicated and the safety of your family member should be the top priority. 

Technology for Caregivers

Technology has changed a lot over the years and is becoming useful in ways we never could have imagined. Today, there are many tools that can help family caregivers and their families. These include websites, apps, sensors, devices and digital health platforms. Technology helps caregivers find what they need, stay organized, and connect with others. It also helps older adults and those living with disabilities stay independent.

  • MassMatch connects people to Assistive Technology for help with communication and mobility.
  • The Massachusetts eHealth Institute is the designated state agency for health technology.
  • Massachusetts Broadband Institute aims to make affordable high-speed Internet available to all homes, businesses, schools, libraries, medical facilities, government offices, and other public places across the Commonwealth.

Caring for Someone Living with Dementia

The number of individuals living with Alzheimer's Disease in Massachusetts is expected to increase from 120,000 people in 2016 to 150,000 people in 2025. Caring for someone living with Alzheimer's or a dementia-related disorder has unique opportunities and challenges. There are a variety of services and programs in Massachusetts that may be able to help. 

Sources

[1] National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (2020). Caregiving in the U.S.

[2] Alzheimer’s Association. (2020). 2020 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.

Related

Help Us Improve Mass.gov with your feedback

Feedback