Family Caregiver Support Program

Family Caregiver Support Program

Directory of Information

Program Goal

We provide services that will support and sustain the primary, unpaid caregiver providing continuous care for a functionally disabled adult 18 years of age or older.

What is the Family Caregiver Support Program?

The Family Caregiver Support program is an effort to assist unpaid family caregivers, to provide them with the resources that will enable them to continue at-home care and make it possible for care recipients to continue to remain in their familiar environment.

Services We Provide

The primary services provided by the Family Caregiver Support Program are:

  • Information and referral to community resources and services
  • Caregiver education on diseases, disease processes and care planning
  • Minor adaptive equipment
  • Caregiver counseling to help with caregiver problem solving and coping skills
  • Respite / housework and errands services

To learn more about this program, call (253) 798-4600 or (800) 562-0332.

Other Services:

Services for Relatives Raising Children:
A variety of support services are available to assist grandparents and other relatives living with and providing primary care to children 18 years of age or younger. Services include: 

  • Family counseling
  • Summer youth activities
  • Limited financial assistance to support participation in school / youth activities or to address basic needs (food, clothing, shelter and essential supplies) of an emergent nature
  • Provided through HopeSparks (formerly the Child and Family Guidance Center)
  • Call (253) 565-4484.

Dementia Support Services: 
Dementia assessment and caregiver consultation is provided to assist the caregiver in managing difficult behaviors and improving coping skills. A general caregiver support group is also available. 

 Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC):

  • The ADRC provides information and other resource materials designed to help unpaid caregivers understand their role and provide better care to their loved one.
  • Materials available include pamphlets and brochures, books and video tapes all at no cost or on loan.

The Resource Center is located at Pierce County Human Services, 3602 Pacific Avenue, Suite 200, Tacoma, WA 98418. For additional information, contact the ADRC at (253) 798-4600.

What Can We Do for You?

Prior to service authorization, a case manager will visit to review caregiving needs in the home and how best to apply available funding in each particular circumstance. The role of the case manager is to assist caregivers and care recipients with the most appropriate mix of supportive services.

  • We are here to help you make informed choices and access services.
  • We review your needs and eligibility with you.
  • We help you develop a plan that addresses your health, housing and safety needs.
  • Your case manager will regularly review your situation and help you make changes to the plan as needed.

To contact us, call (253) 798-4600 or 1 (800) 562-0332. We can answer your questions about the Family Caregiver Support Program and possible additional resources available to caregivers and care recipients.

Family Caregiver Support Groups

There are a number of support groups especially geared for family caregivers. Support groups serve a worthwhile function, allowing participants the opportunity to ask questions, learn from others' experiences, share successes and frustrations or seek advice in a safe, supportive environment.

Support groups do not charge a fee to participate. Each group is unique, so if one group does not "feel right," another may meet your needs. For a current listing of support groups, contact the Aging & Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600 or 1 (800) 562-0332, or online.

Family Caregiver Support Program Videos

Watch & Learn

Learn more about Alzheimer's and the benefits of Adult Day Health from this panel of local community experts. Call (253) 798-4600 for more information about Memory Care and Wellness Services.

Family Caregiver Newsletter

The Family Caregiver

Read our Family Caregiver Support Program quarterly newsletter.
Most Recent newsletter

Family Caregiver Resources

Caregiving in the U.S. 2009

Caregiving is still mostly a woman's job and many women are putting their career and financial futures on hold as they juggle part-time caregiving and full-time job requirements. This is the reality reported in Caregiving in the U.S. 2020, the most comprehensive examination to date of caregiving in America.

The sweeping study of the legions of people caring for adults, the elderly and children with special needs reveals that 29 percent of the U.S. adult population, or 65.7 million people, are caregivers, including 31 percent of all households. These caregivers provide an average of 20 hours of care per week.

Transition Planning

Transitions occur when patients move from one care setting to another, for example, from a hospital to home or rehab facility, or when home care agency services start and end. Patient transitions are often complicated, rushed and beset by errors or misunderstandings.

Next Step in Care provides information and advice to help family caregivers and health care providers plan safe and smooth transitions for patients.

Complete Life

A practical series of five booklets on end-of-life issues for family caregivers. Each booklet is 18 pages long.

Want More Information?

Complete details regarding eligibility, service options and potential costs are available by contacting the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center.

Call us at (253) 798-4600 or 1 (800) 562-0332 or contact us via E-mail. 

  • Office hours
    • 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    • Monday - Friday