Blog Posts, caregiver, caregiving, grants, social support

A note from a caregiver after receiving the Phyllis Watkins Family Assistance Program Grant in 2016:

” I really thought this grant was a waste of my time! Mom was so unwilling to have anyone else in the house, to the point where I could not even have dinner with family or friends at the house because she would become so upset we would have to go to the ER. I just felt like I was at the absolute end of my rope and then Mom’s caseworker suggested a grant that might help me take a break. At first, I rolled my eyes and took the application home to be recycled. But after I got home, I thought what could it hurt. I am exhausted, and I knew my daughter was planning my grand baby’s first birthday. I wanted so badly to go and attend the birthday party and just get a chance to visit with family. After I mailed the application, I had so much guilt about leaving mom even for the day. But then I got a letter back stating my grant money had been approved for respite, I just started crying. I hired a close family friend who Mom knew from church and felt comfortable with, I left so many notes and instructions I am sure the caregiver thought I was crazy. Then I drove to my daughter’s house, with so many nerves, I almost turned around twice!! But I made it to my daughter’s house well before the party started and the reaction I got from my flustered, overwhelmed daughter was one I will never forget. It was just like when she was a little girl on Christmas morning, except now I was her Christmas present. While we were putting up party decorations and pulling out food for the party, we talked and laughed like we hadn’t lost a moment of time. Those few hours were the best with my sweet girl and it gave me a new appreciation for my own mom. My daughter and I talked about getting some additional help in for me and we agreed to meet every week to talk and make sure we don’t lose our connection. I would just like to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for providing this grant for caregivers. I am so grateful for organizations like Alzheimer’s Arkansas and the Phyllis Watkins Family Assistance Program grant. Many blessings, Linda”

All of your gifts given to Alzheimer’s Arkansas stay in Arkansas to assist caregivers and their friends and families with our free programs and services. Our free programs include nine Hope for the Future Caregiver Workshops throughout the state, 57 caregiver support groups, and family counseling. On #givingtuesday your gifts will go directly towards helping more caregivers in Arkansas with the Phyllis Watkins Family Assistance Program Grant. Alzheimer’s Arkansas also provides a 24/7 caregiver support line: 800-689-6090.

#GivingTuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, November 28, 2017, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. It’s a simple idea: just find a way for your family, your community, your company, or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Join Us and be a part of a global celebration of a new tradition of generosity.

Give to Arkansas Caregivers on November 28th!!

If you are interested in the Phyllis Watkins Family Assistance Program grant, click here.

Alzheimer’s Arkansas is pleased to provide you with information about the 2016-2017 Family Caregiver Support Program grant. Funding for this program is provided by the Older Americans Act, National Family Caregiver Support Program Title IIIE Funds. These funds were awarded to CareLink (the Central Arkansas Area Agency on Aging) for distribution throughout the six counties in their service area (Pulaski, Saline, Monroe, Prairie, Lonoke or Faulkner). CareLink selected Alzheimer’s Arkansas Programs and Services to administer the program. This grant is for Respite Care Only and is for $500.00 per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) for the purpose of providing the caregiver a break from the care of a patient who has been diagnosed with ANY chronic illness, not just Alzheimer’s disease.

This grant is not just for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s Disease. A caregiver of a loved one with any chronic illness, who meets the qualifications, may apply for this grant.

In order to quality for this grant the following guidelines must apply:

Patient must be 60 years of age or older.
Patient must live in Pulaski, Saline, Prairie, Lonoke, Faulkner, or Monroe County.
The patient must not receive the same type of services funded by other sources including private insurance, Medicaid, Hospice, ElderChoices, Supplemental Security Income, or Medicare.
Respite services must be received after approval of the application.
The patient must have a documented need for caregiver services (not limited to a dementia diagnosis).
The amount of financial assistance that is given to one family is $500.00 per fiscal year.
A physician’s diagnosis and signature is required.

This grant can ONLY be used for Respite Care, which is defined as a short-term break for the caregiver. Respite care may be provided in the home, adult day care center or an overnight stay on an intermittent, occasional or emergency basis in a nursing home or assisted living.

Respite Care, offers a break for the caregiver and a change of environment for the person with dementia. Respite care can be provided through adult day care, in-home care, or a residential care facility (assisted living or nursing home).

Adult Day Care offers a day program usually Monday through Friday and occasionally on Saturdays. There are two types of adult day care providers. The first is a health model where a registered nurse and/or certified nurse assistants deliver the services. The social model offers services similar to a senior center but with a more structured program of activities. Both models usually offer noon meals and snacks.
Home Care services are provided directly in the home and may include home delivered meals, housekeeping services, sitter services, and personal care.
Residential Care Facilities: Some RCFs, depending upon space available,may be able to admit an individual for temporary care.

For more information and to apply for this program, please contact our office (501) 224-0021 or (800) 689-6090. You can also download the application and the service log in PDF format at these links:

Blog Posts, caregiver, caregiving, grants, social support

2018-2019 Family Caregiver Support Program Grant Application (PDF Format)

Respite Service Log (PDF Format)