The South Dakota Caregiver Support Program is administered by the Division of Long Term Services and Supports and supported in part through the National Family Caregiver Support Program created in 2000 through an amendment to the Older Americans Act.
Today, family caregivers are the major provider of long-term care, but research has shown that the impact on caregivers’ emotional, physical and financial health directly affects their ability to continue in their caregiving role. Caregiver Services offers support to assist caregivers in providing care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible.
Although caregiving is often rewarding it also involves increased stress and places additional demands on a caregiver’s time. Most caregivers do not believe they need to take time for themselves but by using a service called respite, caregivers can receive a much needed break from caregiving for an hour a day, a couple hours a week, a couple days a month or enough time to take a long weekend or a vacation. Respite can be provided by a family member (not living with the caregiver), a friend, in-home provider agency, adult day program, assisted living or nursing facility.
Who is a Caregiver?
A caregiver is a family member or another person who is an informal (unpaid) provider of care to an individual in need of care. There are many reasons why a family member or friend needs assistance in completing activities of daily living including a chronic health condition, disability, Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia or another related disorder.
The following family caregivers are eligible to receive services through the South Dakota Caregiver Support Program:
- Adult family members or other informal caregivers age 18 and older providing care to individuals 60 years of age and older;
- Adult family members or other informal caregivers age 18 and older providing care to individuals of any age with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders;
- Grandparents and other relatives (not parents) 55 years of age and older providing care to children under the age of 18; and
- Grandparents and other relatives 55 years of age and older providing care to adults age 18-59 with disabilities.
Covered Services available through the Caregiver Support Program include:
- Information about available long term services and supports.
- Assistance gaining access to long term services and supports.
- Individual counseling, support groups and caregiver training
- Respite Care to provide caregivers with temporary relief from caregiving
- Supplemental services (i.e., personal care) on a limited basis for the care provided by the caregiver
View a brochure on the South Dakota Caregiver Support Program
Who can I contact for more information about the South Dakota Caregiver Support Program or to access long term services and supports in South Dakota?
Dakota at Home is South Dakota’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Dakota at Home Intake Specialists provide objective information, referral, and assistance to help identify and access the public and private long-term services and supports you and your loved ones need to remain living at home and in your community.