Information for Caregivers

The North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging has a broad range of support services for family caregivers, including Caregiver Support Coordination, Respite Care, Caregiver Information Services, and Caregiver Counseling. The following are eligibility criteria.

• The caregiver cannot be paid for his/her services;
• Either the caregiver or care receiver must live in Collin, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell or Wise County;
• The caregiver must be:
  • caring for someone who is at least 60 years of age;
  • caring for someone who has Alzheimer's or a related dementia:
  • be at least 55 years of age and have primary custody of a grandchild, step-grandchild, or other relative (other than child) who is under the age of 18; or
  • be at least 55 years of age and care for a relative who has severe disabilities

Some programs, such as Caregiver Support Coordination, have additional eligibility criteria.

Caregiver Support Coordination

Caregiver Support Coordination provides temporary assistance to caregivers who are caring for loved ones at risk of premature institutionalization.  The program’s case managers assess the needs of family caregivers and arrange services that support their goals. These services include respite care, minor home modifications, leasing of emergency response devices, and purchase of health-related goods and supplies not covered by insurance.

The program gives priority to caregivers who care for someone who has Alzheimer’s and/or impairments of two or more activities of daily living; care for someone who has been hospitalized within the last two weeks; have had to cut back on work hours because of care responsibilities, and/or has experienced physical/emotional problems because of care responsibilities; care for someone who has no other support— either paid or unpaid; and live in the same home as the care receiver.  Visit the Area Agency on Aging referrals page to access screening criteria and referral forms for Caregiver Support Coordination services, as well as criteria for the Care Coordination and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren programs.  You can also call 1-800-272-3921 to get more information or make a referral.

Caregiver Respite Care

The Caregiver Respite program gives family caregivers a temporary break from their caregiving responsibilities.  It issues vouchers to caregivers so they can make arrangements with providers they trust. The standard one-time benefit is $800, which can be used all at once or gradually over a three-month period.

Caregiver Information, Education, and Counseling Services

Agencies that receive funding through the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging for caregiver information, education, and counseling services include:

• Alzheimer's Assocations of Dallas/Northeast Texas and North Central Texas. The chapters provide education and support to people with dementia and family caregivers.  Call the Helpline at 1-800-272-3900.
• Caregiver Transitions provides training and on-line resources to Spanish-speaking caregivers.
• The Community for Permanent Supported Housing coordinates a workshop for parents of young adults with severe disabilities to help prepare for greater independence.
• James L. West Center for Dementia Care offers two training programs:  Dealing with Dementia and Stress-Busting for Family Caregivers.
• Mascari Corporation coordinates workshops on various topics of interest to older adults and family caregivers.
• Meal on Wheels Senior Services coordinates caregiver seminars and an annual conference.
• The Senior Source offers virtual and live conferences.
• The Wellness Center provides individual and group counseling for family caregivers at its Plano office.
• Z-Quest creates and maintains familycaregiversonline, a source of on-line education and resources. She also coordinates Teleconnections, which provides education and support to family caregivers.  

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program provides temporary assistance to grandparents who have primary custody of grandchildren under the age of 18.  The program’s case managers assess the needs of grandparents and arrange services that support their goals. These services include respite vouchers that can be used for day care or summer camp, help with back-to-school clothing and supplies, benefits counseling, and consultations with attorneys to establish guardianship.

The program gives priority to grandparents who care for grandchildren who are medically fragile or have special needs; care for more than one person (i.e. grandchild, elderly family member, disabled adult); have had a hospitalization within the last four weeks, and/or have experienced physical problems because of their care responsibilities; care for grandchildren who have no other support—either paid or unpaid; and/or have income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level ($1,560 for an individual, or $2,113 for a couple). Visit the Area Agency on Aging referrals page to access screening criteria and referral forms for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren services.  You can also call 1-800-272-3921 to get more information or make a referral.

Caregivers of People with Dementia

The North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging coordinates Dementia Friendly North Central/Texas, which expands supports for people with memory loss and their family caregivers.

Contact Information 
Doni Green, Director of Aging
Phone: 1-800-272-3921 | Fax: 817-695-9274
Email