Your Initial Contact with Caregiving & Aging: What to Expect

Aug 23, 2024

The FamilyMeans Caregiving & Aging program supports caregivers and care receivers as they work through the individual complexities that come with providing support through functional limitations, aging, and memory loss. We have been providing support for over 35 years and serve an average of 2,000 individuals annually. This program continues to see increased need, though sometimes it is hard for individuals to take the first step to connect with us.

Making the choice to reach out for help is no easy feat, especially in uncharted territory. Not knowing what to expect can deter some asking for support. We want to ease some of this anxiety by giving a glimpse into your first contacts with our team.

Whether you are a caregiver for a loved one, someone diagnosed with a chronic illness yourself, or someone looking for local resources for someone in your life, we are thankful that you have found FamilyMeans Caregiving & Aging!

It is important to know that you are not alone, and others are learning about caregiving – and aging – too. FamilyMeans offers encouragement, tools, and hope for the future.

What you can expect with your first contact with Caregiving & Aging Staff:

• An opportunity to share your questions and concerns, even if you don’t exactly know what you need. Most people don’t!
• Someone who wants to hear your story and get you started on a helpful path forward.
• A clear indication of what comes next, such as, “watch your email for a list of the resources we talked about,” or “I’ve set up an appointment for you to meet with our Caregiving & Aging Social Worker a week from Thursday.”
• Feeling a touch lighter because you’ve taken the first hard step of reaching out for help.

After your first initial contact with FamilyMeans Caregiving & Aging, our staff will assess your situation to plan the best course of action. Whether you are looking for respite care, resources, general support in understanding what it means to be a caregiver, or community resources, we can help.

FamilyMeans Caregiving & Aging offers services for both caregivers and care receivers, including counseling, respite care, support groups, and more. Each situation is different, and our staff are here to provide resources and support during difficult times. Visit our website or call our office at 651-439-4840 for more information.