"Many caregivers -- and their families -- serve in the trenches, daily caring for loved ones with dementia. Our goal is to acquaint them with this program that is designed to address many of the day-to-day challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias."

MRHA Executive Director Melissa Van Dyne

The Caregiver Relief Program provides financial assistance to caregivers living with and caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. The Caregiver Relief Program provides reimbursement to caregivers for expenses related to use of respite care services and/or purchase of products or services required to care for the individual with dementia.

The reimbursement amount of $700 per award period is contingent on eligibility and funding availability. Financial assistance for subsequent award periods is also contingent on continued eligibility and continued program funding. Services paid by Medicare or Medicaid or any other source cannot be reimbursed to the caregiver

Eligibility Requirements:

The caregiver must live in the same residence as the care receiver. Persons residing in long-term care communities are ineligible.
The care receiver must have a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia related to vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Pick’s disease, Lewy Body disease, etc.
The care receiver’s residence must be in Missouri.
Caregivers may not be enrolled in both the Customized Caregiver Training Program and the Caregiver Relief Program. Care receivers may only be in one of the programs.

Enrollment in the program is contingent upon funding availability, and distributed on a first come, first served basis.

How do I apply for the Caregiver Relief Program?

No application is required for this program. Caregivers in need of support should call the 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900 to request a Respite Care Consultation with a dementia expert who will assess needs and identify various resources to support the caregiver.

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10 Ways to Manage Stress and be a Healthier Caregiver

Are you so overwhelmed by taking care of someone else that you've neglected your own physical, mental and emotional well-being? To avoid putting your own health at risk, consider the following tips from the Alzheimer's Association.

1. Take a Break

Respite care services can give you a temporary rest from caregiving while the person with Alzheimer’s continues to receive care in a safe environment.

2. Seek Out Community Resources

Visit the Alzheimer's Association AARP Community Resource Finder to access a database of dementia and aging-related resources in your area. Adult day programs, in-home assistance, visiting nurses and meal delivery are just some of the services that can help you manage daily tasks.

3. Become an Educated Caregiver

As the disease progresses, new caregiving skills may be needed. The Association offers programs to help you better understand and cope with common behavioral and personality changes that often accompany Alzheimer's.

4. Get Help and Find Support

AA's 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900), ALZConnected® online social networking community and local support groups are good resources. If stress becomes overwhelming, seek help from a doctor or counselor.

5. Take Care of Your Own Health

Try to eat well, exercise and get plenty of rest. Making sure that you are healthy can help you be a better caregiver.

6. Manage Your Level of Stress

Stress can cause physical problems (blurred vision, stomach upset, high blood pressure) and changes in behavior (irritability, lack of concentration, change in appetite). Note your symptoms and discuss with a doctor, as needed.

7. Accept Changes as They Occur

People with Alzheimer’s disease change over time and so do their needs. They may require care beyond what you can provide on your own. Becoming aware of community resources and care options — from home care services to residential care — can make the transition easier. So will the support and assistance of those around you.

8. Make Legal and Financial Plans

Putting legal and financial plans in place after an Alzheimer's diagnosis allows the person living with the disease to participate in decision making. Having these plans in place can provide comfort to the entire family. Many documents, including advance directives, can be prepared without the help of a legal professional. However, if you're unsure about how to complete legal documents or make financial plans, you may want to seek assistance from an attorney specializing in elder law, a financial advisor who is familiar with elder or long-term care planning, or both.

9. Know You're Doing Your Best

Remember that the care you provide makes a difference and that you're doing the best you can. You may feel guilty because you can't do more, but care needs increase as Alzheimer's progresses. Regardless of how care is delivered, you can make sure that the person living with the disease is well cared for and safe.

10. Visit Your Doctor Regularly

Take time to get regular checkups and pay attention to any exhaustion, stress, sleeplessness or changes in your appetite or behavior. Ignoring symptoms can cause your physical and mental health to decline.

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Signs of Early Alzheimer's May be Spotted in Brain Stem

Certain changes in a part of the brain stem, visible in scans, might be a potential early indicator of Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests.

Using different brain imaging techniques, researchers found that lesser "integrity" in the brain stem region was linked to a faster decline in memory and thinking in older adults, as well as certain brain changes seen in early Alzheimer's.

The research - published Sept. 22 in the journal Science Translational Medicine - is the latest in a broad effort to find "biomarkers" that could aid in earlier Alzheimer's diagnosis.

Biomarkers are things that can be measured to reliably detect a disease - a substance in the blood or a brain scan finding, for instance.

Right now, most people with Alzheimer's are diagnosed based on evaluations of their memory, reasoning and other thinking skills, said Rebecca Edelmayer, senior director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer's Association.

But researchers, she said, are working to better understand the underlying disease process and, along the way, find biomarkers that catch Alzheimer's sooner.

Potentially, there are various ways to do that - including brain imaging and measuring certain substances in the cerebrospinal spinal fluid or blood. Some of those tools are already being studied and, in some cases, used in patient care.

While this list can be helpful for families with seniors, it is not intended to assess or diagnose.

Caregiver Training: Dealing with Repetitive Questions

The UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Video series provides viewers with practical tools you can use in a variety of settings to create a safe, comfortable environment both for the person with dementia and the caregiver.

Watch More Videos from the UCLA Caregiver Training Series

Learn More About the Free Caregiver Relief Program!

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