The Span Center’s Caregiver Support Program is dedicated to helping individuals navigate the complexities of caregiving. We provide resources to assist with decision-making, stress management and building confidence in delivering quality care. Caregivers can also receive guidance on long-term care options, insurance coverage and various living settings such as Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing.
Have any questions about caretaker support?
The Span Center
Phone: (804) 343-3000
Email: [email protected]
Caregiver Community
Caregiving can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. You are part of a community of spouses, adult children, relatives and neighbors – all navigating the challenges of caring for a loved one. Connecting with others is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress and build confidence in your caregiving role. The Span Center offers programs and resources to support you on your unique caregiving journey.
Caregiver Coaching
Our professional caregiver support team is here to help you make informed decisions, explore local caregiving resources and create caregiving plans that work for both you and your care partner. To learn more or get help navigating your caregiving journey, contact 804-343-3000 to speak with a Caregiver Support Specialist or email [email protected].
Self-Care Strategies
Caregivers often neglect their own well-being, but taking time for self-care improves both your health and your ability to care for others. Rest, exercise and mental relaxation are essential. To learn more or get help creating a self-care plan, visit our Respite Resources and contact 804-343-3000 to speak with a Caregiver Support Specialist or email [email protected].
Self-Care Strategies
Sharing your caregiving experience with others facing similar challenges can provide emotional relief and helpful insights. Below are local in-person and virtual support groups for caregivers, including those focused on Alzheimer’s and related dementias:
- Alzheimer’s Association Support Groups
- Greater Richmond Chapter Memory Cafes
- Current Support Group
- ALS Caregivers / Patients Families
- Alzheimer’s
- Acquired Brain Injury (for caregivers only)
- Acquired Brain Injury (for people living with brain injury, their family & friends)
- Family Caregivers (in-person)
- Family Caregivers (virtual)
- Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Caregivers
- Just Breathe Caregiver Group
- Kinship Care (in-person)
- Kinship Care (virtual)
- LGBTQ+ Caregivers
- Parkinson’s Disease Research Education & Clinical Center / PADRECC Support Group
- Parkinson’s Group
Caregiver Education
Caregivers are empowered when they have the knowledge and tools to understand and plan for their loved ones’ journey. The Span Center, in collaboration with community partners, offers a variety of educational opportunities to help caregivers develop the strategies they need to take better care of themselves and their loved ones.
Caregiver’s Toolkit
Educational Webinar Series: The Span Center hosts educational webinars on a range of caregiver-related topics, such as: Legal Documents for Caregivers, How to Advocate for Loved Ones in the Healthcare System, Mindfulness and Stress Reduction for Caregivers and more. Check our website regularly for upcoming webinars and registration details.
Powerful Tools for Caregiving
This six-week class series is designed to support caregivers in taking care of themselves while caring for others. When caregivers focus on their own well-being, they are better equipped to care for their loved ones. This class will help you:
- Reduce stress
- Improve self-confidence
- Manage time, set goals, and solve problems
- Communicate in challenging situations
- Make tough decisions
- Find helpful resources
To learn more or register for our next series, contact 804-343-3000 to speak with a Caregiver Support Specialist or email [email protected].
Web Resources for Caregivers
It can be overwhelming sorting through the wealth of online information available to caregivers. Below is a list of reputable resources you can trust curated by The Span Center team:
General
- AARP Resources for Family Caregiving
- Caregiver Action Network
- Virginia Caregiver Coalition
- Virginia Family Caregiver Solution Center
- National Institute on Health: The Caregiver’s Handbook
- SeniorNavigator
Disease Specific:
- Alzheimer’s Association Greater Richmond Chapter
- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)
- What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?
- NIH Providing Care for a Person With a Frontotemporal Disorder
- UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Videos User Guide
- Alzheimer’s Foundation for America: Care Connection Series: Webinars for dementia caregivers and professionals
- Planning After a Dementia Diagnosis
- Parkinson’s Foundation: For Care Partners
- DARS Dementia Capable Virginia
- Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care (PAC)
Financial & Legal:
- Family Caregiver Alliance: Legal Planning for Incapacity
- Family Caregiver Alliance: What Every Caregiver Needs to Know About Money
- Honoring Choices Virginia: Advance Care Planning
- Five Wishes: The nation’s only national advance care planning programNAELA: Find a Lawyer
Kinship Care:
- Chesterfield County & Chesterfield County Public Schools: Kinship Resource Guide
- Virginia Department of Social Services: Kinship Care
- SCAN Support Group for Kinship / Grandparents: A Place for Parents
- Kinship Resource Guide: Taking Care of a Grandchild
- VDA: Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program
Self Care:
- VirginiaNavigator:Taking Care of You: Self-Care for Family Caregivers
- Dana Foundation: Mental Well-Being of Family CaregiversThe Caregiver Space: 5 Tools for Mindfulness for Caregivers
Veterans:
Caregiver Respite
In the caregiving world, respite is time set aside for caregivers to step back, recharge and enjoy activities they love. This downtime is essential to both the caregiver’s and care recipient’s well-being. Whether it’s for a few hours or a few days, The Span Center offers programs that help caregivers find both formal and informal respite care options.
Caregiver Respite Voucher
Designed for temporary, short-term relief, the Caregiver Respite Voucher offers reimbursement of up to $595 to eligible caregivers who hire a respite care provider of their choice. This option is available for those caring for individuals aged 60 and older or individuals with early-onset dementia. For more information, contact the Caregiver Support Program at 804-343-3000 or email [email protected].
Jenkins Caregiver Empowerment Program
This program supports caregivers in focusing on their own well-being. Participants receive ongoing emotional support, guidance in creating a long-term self-care plan, a financial stipend to jumpstart their Empowerment Plan, and access to additional resources. To check eligibility for the Jenkins Caregiver Empowerment Program, call 804-343-3000 or email [email protected].
Referral to Respite & In-Home Services Program
The Span Center offers grants for temporary, short-term direct care of a caregiver’s loved one. These grants are prioritized for those with the greatest health and social needs. To learn more, call 804-343-3000 and ask about Respite & In-Home Services.
Finding Care
A quick online search can provide an extensive list of care providers. To simplify the process, consider getting recommendations from friends, neighbors or healthcare providers and using trusted sources like Medicare’s provider comparison tool: Find Healthcare Providers: Compare Care Near You.
Additional Respite Financial Resources
- ARCH National Respite Network & Resource Center: Resources for Caregivers
- Commonwealth Catholic Charities: Senior Services
- DARS Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program
- Hilarity For Charity: Care for Caregivers
- MAHOVA: Masonic In-Home Care Outreach
- Road Scholar: Caregiver Grants
- The Arc of Virginia: CCC Plus Waiver
- AFTD: Comstock Respite Grant
- Mind What Matters: Caregiver Relief Fund
Each of these programs is dedicated to giving caregivers the time they need to recharge and come back to their caregiving role with renewed strength and peace of mind.
