Pennsylvania Department of Aging Launches Free Monthly Webinar Series to Help Caregivers

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Aging Secretary Brian Duke today announced the launch of a free monthly webinar series to begin this month, which is National Caregiver Support month. Webinar topics will be related to healthy living, self care tips and basic medical facts for caregivers.

A caregiver is someone who provides unpaid care to an elderly relative, friend, grandchild or a relative between the ages of 19-59 with a disability.

"Caregivers are on the frontlines in providing care for relatives and loved ones, but many times their contributions are not acknowledged," Secretary Duke said.  "We have developed a webinar series to reach out to caregivers and provide them with information and support not only during National Family Caregivers month, but throughout the year."

Pennsylvania has the fifth largest population of caregivers in the nation with over 1.2 million uncompensated caregivers. They have contributed over 1,300 hours of service and an estimated $13,000 of unreimbursed services every year. As the older population increases, more adults will assume the role of caregiver.

Department of Aging's Caregiver Support Program provides assistance to caregivers so they may better care for their loved ones.  The program offers information, respite care, training in caregiving skills, assistance with home modifications and financial assistance for some out of pocket expenses.  The Caregiver Support Program is administered through local area agencies on aging.

In the last fiscal year, over 7,000 care givers were helped through the Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program.

For more information about the Caregiver Support Program and the monthly webinar series, visit: www.aging.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Christina Reese, 717-783-1549

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Aging