ABA Family Legal Guide

The Rights of Older Americans

The Older Americans Act and Services

My elderly mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. I would like to have her live with me. Are there services available to help me provide for her needs in my own home?

Maybe. Although the Older Americans Act authorizes grants to be made to provide such services, they may or may not be available in your community. These may include in-home supportive services for victims of Alzheimer's disease or related conditions, and for the families of these victims.

The services and the extent of services vary from place to place. They might include counseling and training for family caregivers, a needs assessment and assistance in locating and securing services, and case management (a case manager acts as an adviser and broker). Services might also include homemaker and home health aides, in-home respite service so family caregivers can get away for short periods, assistance in adapting a home to meet the needs of an impaired older person, and chore maintenance.

A second very important resource is the state or local Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association's local chapters provide extensive information about resources for families of Alzheimer's victims in your specific community. Chapters also offer support from others whose loved ones are victims.