How to apply for Family Caregiver Support — Virginia

Who it's for

Virginia's Area Agencies on Aging support family members and other unpaid caregivers with respite care, caregiver support groups, individual counseling, training, and help finding services. The program serves caregivers of adults 60 and older, caregivers of people of any age with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder, and older relatives raising children or caring for adults with disabilities. Contact the local Area Agency on Aging to get connected.

What you'll need

• A description of the caregiving situation and the help needed

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Confirm you are an unpaid family caregiver of an adult 60 or older, a person of any age with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder, or that you are an older relative raising a child or caring for an adult with a disability.
2. Prepare a brief description of your caregiving situation and the type of help you are looking for — this is the key information you will need to share when you apply.
3. Apply online through the official program link on this page to connect with your local Area Agency on Aging.
4. Expect your local Area Agency on Aging to conduct an assessment of your caregiving situation and needs.
5. Work with the Area Agency on Aging to learn which services — such as respite care, support groups, counseling, training, or help finding resources — are available and arranged for you based on the assessment and available funding.
6. Renew your participation annually as required to continue receiving services.

What to expect: After you submit your application, your local Area Agency on Aging will follow up to conduct an assessment of your caregiving situation. Services such as respite care, individual counseling, caregiver support groups, training, and help finding resources are arranged based on that assessment and available funding. Processing times vary, so contact your local Area Agency on Aging directly for an estimate of next steps and timing. Because services are tailored to the caregiver of the person screened and depend on an assessment and funding availability, this program appears as a may-qualify result. Plan to renew your participation each year to keep services in place.

Renewals

annual