Outreach

A shout-out to all the caregivers: Resources are available for you!

If you are a caregiver, we know that you want to do everything within your power to make sure that your loved one is cared for in the best way possible. As you’ve made sure that your loved one’s needs are met, you may have felt caregiver stress and burnout. Please know that you are not alone, and that there are resources to help.

Both WCSC and LCCOA Outreach Departments can provide a variety of resources to help meet the needs of the caregiver, including but not limited to, our grant-funded programs for Respite, Caregiver Gap, and Alzheimer’s Gap.

Learn more about each of these below, and if you feel you may benefit from any of the following, please get in touch with us. Funding for these programs is county specific. If you reside in Whiteside County please call WCSC Outreach at 815-622-9230 Ext. 194, and if you reside in Lee County please contact LCCOA at 815-288-9236, and ask for Outreach.

Respite funding can be used to ensure that a care-recipient, aged 60 or older, is cared for, either at home with an approved respite provider, or in an approved facility. Allowing the caregiver to be able to get a temporary break (i.e.: to go on vacation or run errands.) While this funding is not a permanent support, it does give caregivers an opportunity to refresh and ease some of the strain.

If you are looking for a home health agency, we can provide you a list of already approved agencies. You will want to establish whether the respite provider will be able to take on the hours you are looking to have care provided for prior to the final application submission. Respite means a short period of rest of relief Funding is considered for a specific amount, or time frame, and can vary based on need and availability. Once approved, you will work directly with your home health agency for all scheduling. Any overage of approved funding would fall to the responsibility of the caregiver. Please contact your county’s center for more details or to apply.

Caregiver Gap funding is available to assist the caregiver to better help their care-recipient (aged 60+) by relieving some of the financial burden that is put on the caregiver. Caregiver Gap funds can afford items such as medical equipment, rent, home repairs, appliances, necessities, etc., especially if community resources are insufficient and the caregiver does not have a means to pay for the items.

Alzheimer’s Gap funds are limited funds available to help families and/or caregivers that are caring for a loved one who has been diagnosed with possible Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. A medical diagnosis is required to apply, but the care-recipient can be of any age. Examples of items that can be purchased are assistive technology, adult day-care, items for personal care, food, housing assistance, and anything that may enhance the well-being of the care-recipient with Alzheimer’s or related dementias.

These programs are offered through our partnership with the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging (NIAAA) and the grant funding that they allocate to our counties. In order to apply, an interview must be conducted by the WCSC or LCCOA Outreach Departments, and the application process may require multiple estimates (such as for home repairs). WCSC, LCCOA and NIAAA are all equal opportunity and non-discriminative service and assistance provider agencies. All funding is granted on a first-come, first-serve basis, requires a screening and application process and subject to funding availability. NIAAA oversees the application process and provides final approval, or denial. Receiving benefits from any of these programs does not count as income and no funds will be distributed to an individual.

LCCOA phone numbers

Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 100 West Second Street – Dixon, IL, 61021

Main number 815-288-9236

Transportation 815-288-9236

Post House Ballroom 815-288-9236

Outreach services & free phones for hearing impaired

Outreach hours 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

E-mail us at lccoa@comcast.net Visit us at www.leecountycouncilonaging.net or www.posthouseballroom.net or find us on Facebook

WCSC phone numbers

Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling

Transportation – 815-625-7433 • Information – 815-622-9230

ADRC hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday Walk-ins from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Outreach and free phones for hard of hearing/ low vision 815-622-9230

Toll-free 888-622-9230

Email at info@wc-seniorcenter.org Go to wc-seniorcenter.org or follow us on Facebook.