Established under the Older Americans Act, the federally-funded Family Caregiver Support Program provides a system of support services to help informal caregivers - those who are providing unpaid care (help with day-to-day activities) for older adults as well as grandparents who are providing unpaid care for their grandchildren or other young relatives.

The Family Caregiver Support Program is intended to help you if:

• You are living in Kern County, and
• You are providing unpaid care for a person 60 years or older, or an individual of any age with Alzheimer's disease or related disorder with neurological and organic brain dysfunction or
• You are a grandparent 55 years or older providing unpaid care for a grandchild or other young relative 18 years or younger.
• You are an older parent providing care to your adult child of any age with severe disabilities.

Donations are gratefully accepted by Aging and Adult Service Department's providers; however services will not be denied to caregivers if they cannot afford or are unwilling to donate. Family Caregiver Support is a California Department of Aging (CDA) program.

Caregiver Links

• Caregiving Tips and Techniques

Support Providers

Alzheimer's Disease Association for Kern
Adult Day Care, Counseling, Support Groups, Respite Care
Director: Janelle Capra
4203 Buena Vista Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311
Phone: (661) 665-8871
Fax: (661) 665-7690

Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance
Grandparent/Guardianship Legal Assistance
Executive Director: Estela Casas
615 California Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93304
Phone: (661) 325-5943
Fax: (661) 325-4482

Kern Around the Clock Foundation
Caregiver Training and Assistance Program
Program Manager: Annette Price
5251 Office Park Drive #400, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Phone: (661) 395-5800
Fax: (661) 864-0732

Valley Caregiver Resource Center
Caregiver Training and Support Programs
Program Coordinator: Chris Barrett
8016 California City Blvd #4, California City, CA 93505
Phone: (661) 821-1626
Fax: (661) 821-1726

Services Available

Information, Referral and Assistance:
We provide information or refer you to support groups, in-home services, legal and financial services, and other programs that can make your situation easier.

Education, Support, and Training:
We provide individual or group training that can help you take care of your loved one in the home. Bathing, transferring, and medication management are all activities that can be made easier with the right tools and information.

Care Coordination:
We provide comprehensive caregiver assessments to determine the necessary supportive services or other appropriate services for your loved one and you. We assist you in gaining access to needed services.

Respite Care:
It is vital that you have opportunities for breaks from your caregiving responsibilities. We provide short-term relief for you in the home or adult day care center.

Support Groups:
Caregiver support groups are an opportunity for you to share information and feel connected to others who are providing care, just like you.

Supplemental Services:
We provide other services to complement the care you are providing.