Caregiver Support Program (CSP) - Allegheny County

About Caregiver Support Program (CSP) - Allegheny County

The CSP assists a caregiver who is taking care of an older relative or friend whom wants to remain independent in their own home.  The goal of the program is to ease the burden of providing care to a frail older adult, a disabled adult or ones grandchildren.

Benefits include:

Assessment of individual needs

Respite care

Qualifying caregivers receive monthly reimbursement for caregiving expenses such as services, supplies, home modifications, and assistive devices.

Care management

Benefits and resource counseling

Access to support groups and counseling

Training in caregiving skills

Access to legal and financial services to manage loved ones affairs

Program Qualifications:

Caregiver must be primarily responsible for in-home assistance to the person in their care.

Caregiver cannot be compensated for the care they provide.

The recipient of the care must be:

An Allegheny county resident

Age 60 or older with a functional impairment

Any age and a diagnosis of any form of dementia/Alzheimers disease

Age 55 and raising related children under age 18 in your home

Age 55 and caring for an adult with a disability age 19-59

Available Benefits through the Program:

CSPs are designed to ease the stress and burden of eligible caregivers who often become overwhelmed when helping their loved one while managing their own family and work responsibilities at the same time.

The total value of the benefits available to you depends on the income of the household where your loved one resides, but the range of benefits is wide and varied.

Participants are eligible for:

• Case management
• Trainings in caregiving skills
• Access to support groups
• Information on benefits and resources
• Assistance completing benefits and insurance forms

CSPs offer a monthly reimbursement for out-of-pocket care-giving supplies such as:

• Nutritional supplements
• Disinfectant supplies
• Incontinence supplies
• Wound care supplies

CSPs offer volunteer caregivers reimbursement if they need to hire someone (family members cannot be reimbursed for their work) to provide help to their loved one such as:

• Personal care
• Meal preparation
• Medication set-up and assistance
• Adult day services
• Respite care

CSPs provide reimbursement grants to make the home more safe and accessible with home modifications or assistive devices such as:

• Grab bars
• Bedside toilets
• Ramps
• Stair rides
• Lift chairs

How the Program works:

1. You call the Allegheny County DHS Area Agency on Aging SeniorLine at 412-350-5460 or 1-800-344-4319.
2. You are assigned a care manager.
3. Your care manager arranges for a home visit to discuss your situation, your needs and the needs of the loved one you are caring for.
4. Based on what is learned in the conversation, your care manager creates a care plan to meet your needs and those of your loved one.
5. Your care manager follows up periodically to make sure your supports are meeting your needs.