Senior benefits in Gaston County, North Carolina

Support for the unpaid family member or friend doing the caring, not the person being cared for. Centralina Area Agency on Aging runs the Family Caregiver Support Program for Gaston County, created in 2000 to help caregivers keep a loved one at home for as long as possible. Services vary by county but generally include information and referral, help connecting to supportive services, options and benefits counselling, a support group, and education and training — including the NC Caregiver Portal and a 6-week Building Better Caregivers workshop. The program also offers respite care, meaning in-home help, adult day care or group respite that gives you a temporary break from caregiving, plus supplemental services such as incontinence supplies. Call 1-800-508-5777 to ask what is available in Gaston County.

Estimated service value: $500–$2,500 a year

In this county: This program supports the caregiver. The agency's own definition is broader than the check can express: a caregiver of an adult aged 60 or older, OR a grandparent or relative aged at least 55 caring for a young child or an adult with a developmental disability, OR anyone caring for a person with Alzheimer's or a related dementia. If you fall into the second or third group but the check did not show this program, call the agency anyway. What is actually offered varies by county and depends on the resources available locally. Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final decision.

The Centralina Area Agency on Aging serves adults age 60 and older and their caregivers in Gaston County. Services include congregate and home-delivered meals, family caregiver support and respite, the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) for Medicare counseling, options counseling for long-term care, the long-term care ombudsman, and links to in-home and adult day services. Call the Area Agency on Aging to find out what is available locally.

Estimated service value: $1,000–$6,000 a year

North Carolina's Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) gives a one-time payment toward heating costs, and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) helps when a household faces a heating or cooling emergency. Both are run by the Gaston County Department of Social Services. Households with an older adult (60+) or a person with a disability can apply starting December 1; other eligible households apply starting in January, until funds run out. Apply online through ePASS at epass.nc.gov, by phone, or at the county DSS office.

Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,100 a year

CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia is the main hospital serving Gaston County. CaroMont Health offers a Charity Care program for Gaston County residents who cannot afford their care, based on family size, income (using federal poverty guidelines), and assets. Financial counselors help patients apply. Ask for a Charity Care application or call the billing office.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Gaston: CaroMont Health Charity Care is for Gaston County residents and is based on family size, income against federal poverty guidelines, and assets. The hospital makes the final decision.

Helps veterans of any age stay safely at home instead of in a long-term care facility. The veteran gets a monthly budget for long-term services and supports and can hire, schedule and supervise their own caregivers — family members, friends, or professional caregivers. Available to veterans enrolled in VA health care who meet the clinical criteria for long-term services and supports. To get started, talk to your social worker or primary care provider at your VA Medical Center; they confirm eligibility and start enrollment. Centralina Aging: 704-372-2416 or 1-800-508-5777.

Centralina Area Agency on Aging runs five research-based workshops for Gaston County older adults and their caregivers. Living Healthy with Chronic Disease helps people with conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure manage fatigue, medication and talking with their doctors. Living Healthy with Diabetes covers healthy eating, exercise and managing high and low blood sugar. Living Healthy with Chronic Pain covers poor sleep, fatigue and balancing activity with rest. Building Better Caregivers is a workshop for people caring for an older loved one, open to all caregivers, on reducing stress and managing difficult behaviour. A Matter of Balance helps people who fear falling rebuild confidence in moving around. Call 1-800-508-5777 to ask when the next workshop runs near you.

Estimated service value: about $0 a year

In this county: These are group workshops that run on a schedule, so taking part depends on when the next session starts near you — ask the agency. Building Better Caregivers is open to all caregivers, including those under 60, so call about it even if this check did not show it for you. The workshops teach self-management; they do not replace care from your own doctor. Not legal or financial advice.

Gaston County ACCESS provides demand-response rides for older adults, people with disabilities, and veterans, including medical, nutrition, and senior-center trips funded through programs like EDTAP. The City of Gastonia runs GoGastonia, an on-demand van service, plus a curb-to-curb ADA paratransit van for riders who cannot use the regular service because of a disability. Call ACCESS to arrange a ride.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

In this county: Gaston: Gaston County ACCESS and GoGastonia serve older adults and people with disabilities; fares depend on the trip, program, and ADA eligibility.