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Information and Help for Caregivers

All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public.  The Department of Health Services does not testify to, sponsor, or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

The UW-Extension Family Caregiving Program estimates that 1 in 3 Americans will care for a family member at some point in their lives. If you are a friend or family member providing help and support for an older adult or a chronically ill or disabled younger person, you are a caregiver. The links on this page can help you find information about financial help that may be available, ways to take care of yourself, and other topics of interest to you.

Family Caregiver Alliance is a nonprofit organization that addresses the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home.  Its website includes caregiving information and advice and fact sheets on issues facing caregivers.

National Family Caregivers Association provides support and advocacy for family caregivers. Its site includes tips and how-to guides to help caregivers.

Caregiving is a federal government website designed to support and assist caregivers. It offers a wide range of helpful information for the nearly 66 million Americans who provide help to an aged, seriously ill or disabled family member or friend.

National Family Caregiver Support Program, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides information mostly for those caring for seniors.

Healthfinder, a United States government health site, has information on several topics of interest to caregivers. Enter the term "Caregivers" in the site's Search feature to find a variety of useful information.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has information on programs that can help children and adults with disabilities:

• Community Options Program (COP): This program provides funds and assistance to help elderly people and people with serious long-term disabilities find services they are not able to get through other programs.
  
  
• Family Care Program: A long-term care program now available in many Wisconsin counties.
  
  
• The Katie Beckett Program is a special eligibility process that allows certain children with long-term disabilities, mental illness, or complex medical needs, living at home with their families, to obtain a Wisconsin ForwardHealth Medicaid card. Children who are not eligible for other Medicaid programs because the income or assets of their parents are too high may be eligible for this source of Medicaid even if they are currently covered under a private health insurance policy. Information about other services for children with delays or disabilities is also available.   
  
  
• Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program:  This program includes Regional CYSHCN Centers that provide assistance, information and referrals to children and youth with special health care needs and their families. Other resources are also available.
  
  

Respite Care Association of Wisconsin provides support and information for respite care providers and consumers.

Last Revised: March 27, 2013