CAREGIVER SERVICES
caregiving@wilmingtonseniorcenter.org

Grandparent Resource Center

302-651-3420

Patricia L. Anderson, MSW Director

The Wilmington Senior Center's Grandparent Resource Center (GRC) was specially created in 1997 to support the growing number of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. At a time when most grandparents have finished their child-rearing responsibilities, many others have become primary caregivers of their grandchildren. According to the United States Census Bureau, more than 2.5 million families in our country consist of grandparents caring for grandchildren. This number continues to rise because of the absence of one or both of the parents due to alcohol or drug abuse, incarceration, divorce, AIDS, death and other reasons.

Although there are many sources of information in the community for parents, our Grandparent Resource Center is the first and only organization in the state offering services for individuals who are parenting for the second time around. Being a parent again can be both a blessing and a burden, so the GRC is available for guidance and support for those with this responsibility. The GRC helps grandparents and other caregivers cope with today's challenges while working toward a brighter future for themselves and the children in their care.

The services offered by the Grandparent Resource Center include:
• Tuesday morning support group for grandparents from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., with childcare provided
• Personalized support and case management from Patricia Anderson, the director
• Information and referral to community resources
• Partnerships with Children and Families First and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware to help assure that grandchildren's needs are met
• Informative monthly newsletter
• Periodic trips and parties for grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy together

Did you know that if you are the primary caregiver (with custody or guardianship) of a child who is not your own, you are automatically eligible for financial assistance from the state? Regardless of your income or resources, the child-only grant from the State of Delaware may be able to help relieve some of your financial burden.

To learn more about our programs, the state's financial assistance services, or to register for the support group, call 651-3420.

Funding for the Grandparent Resource Center comes from the United Way of Delaware, Delaware Grant-in-Aid, Christ Church Christiana Hundred, and local corporations.

Caregiver Resource Center

302-651-3401 (at the Wilmington Senior Center) 302-737-2336, ext. 21 (at the Newark Senior Center)

Joyce L. Shores Coordinator

The Wilmington Senior Center's Caregiver Resource Center was established in 2001 in partnership with Delaware Health and Social Services (Division of Services to Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities) and the Newark Senior Center. It has been designed to support and guide the growing number of Delaware residents who are acting as caregivers for aging relatives and loved ones. Twenty-six percent of America's adult population has cared for a chronically ill, disabled or aged relative or friend this year. Caregivers for elders spend an average of 20 hours per week preparing meals, attending to medical needs, assisting with mobility and grooming, managing finances and housekeeping.

The responsibilities of caregiving can bring great joy as caregivers help assure quality of life through the aging process for the people who mean the most to them. However, the role of caregiver can also be very stressful. We developed the Caregiver Resource Center to assist caregivers in coping with their responsibilities, accessing much-needed information and balancing personal needs while meeting the demands of another.

Our coordinator spends two days each week in the Wilmington Senior Center and two days weekly in the Newark Senior Center. Messages are checked daily for both locations and phone calls are returned promptly. A resource library has been set up in each center with videotapes, books, and pamphlets that may be borrowed by caregivers.

Other services provided by our coordinator are:
• Information and referral to community resources
• Personalized support and case management from Joyce Shores, our coordinator
• Evening and weekend hours by appointment for caregivers who cannot reach Joyce during the regular work day
• Computers with Internet access that are available for caregivers to use
• Caregiver support group on the third Tuesday of each month at the Newark Senior Center and fourth Thursday of each month at the Wilmington Senior Center, as well as connections with other local support groups

The Caregiver Resource Center is part of a comprehensive set of services called CARE Delaware. Other services include information, referral, support, and respite care services. Funding for all of the programs comes from Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) and the National Family Caregiver Support Program, an initiative of the U.S. Administration on Aging.

For more information and assistance, call 651-3401.

Caring Partners

302-651-3401 (at the Wilmington Senior Center) 302-737-2336, ext. 21 (at the Newark Senior Center)

Wilmington Senior Center is a lead agency in Caring Partners, a program that links caregivers with services and resources to help them with their caregiving roles. The Caring Partners project includes an educational program, Preparing for Caring, for the many husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, and daughters and sons anticipating their new roles and the challenges of giving and receiving care. This program can be found on the website www.caringpartnersde.org. Also included is the Caring Partners Coalition, a network of agencies that provide services to caregivers and their families. Contact information for Coalition members can be found on the Caring Partners website.

For more information and assistance, call 651-3401.