The team at Sona Pharmacy is passionate about working with families to help them take care of each other. Senior care can be a large and complicated ecosystem, and WNC is no different.
As Asheville’s population continues to grow, more and more residents need resources to help them manage their care and the care of their loved ones. In light of the retirees in particular who constitute a large part of those moving to Western North Carolina, caregivers of aging parents in the area are particularly in need of additional services and support.
There are many different kinds of resources, including support groups, short-term or respite care for seniors, in-home health care services, caregiver education, and even temporary financial assistance. If you would like to learn more about our caregiver support program, Sona Access, click here.
TYPES and sources OF caregiver and senior care
Respite Care
Respite services provide short-term care for seniors so caregivers can run errands, enjoy an evening out, or enjoy a moment to themselves. Also called Adult Day Services, these services include in-home health care and places for seniors to spend time. Seniors often enjoy benefits from social interaction and activities.
- CarePartners offers an Adult Day Health/Day Care program. Complete program details and enrollment information available at their website or by calling (828) 277-3399.
- The North Carolina Respite Care Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting respite care services. They provide resources for families interested in respite care. WNC’s contact is Cindy Miles, who is available via phone at (828) 586-1962, x218, or email at [email protected]. You can also learn more about them at their website, http://northcarolinarespitecarecoalition.org
- MemoryCare offers a list of respite care providers by county here.
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Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a program for people age 55 or older that need support to remain safely at home. Learn more here.
Caregiver Education and Support
Oftentimes, you may know what services are available. You may have questions about how to care for your loved one, for yourself, and what kinds of benefits or support for which you may be eligible.
- Land of Sky Regional Council’s Family Caregiver Support Program provides information, assistance and support to these family members and friends who are caring for a frail elderly person or someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Grandparents and older relatives age 55 and older who are raising a child are also eligible for assistance. Visit their website at http://www.landofsky.org/fcsp.html or call them at 828.251.6622.
- Project C.A.R.E.(“Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty”) can assist caregivers of people with dementia by providing a Family Consultant to help resolve caregiving issues. The Family Consultant can also connect caregivers with community resources and arrange funding (currently very limited) to help pay for temporary relief, known as “respite” care. Project C.A.R.E. helps reduce caregiver stress and exhaustion so that people with dementia can remain at home for as long as possible.
- Sona Access is a referral-based program that helps patients and families manage complex medication regimens. They offer free delivery, care calls to help with medication adherence, packaging, and other services. If you’re interested in learning more about our Access program, call 828-348-3000 or visit their website.
- Located in Asheville, N.C., MemoryCare is a non-profit charitable organization recognized for its pioneering work in the community-based care of memory-impaired individuals. Their approach focuses on the caregivers as well as the patients. Through programs like MemoryCare’s Caregiver College, caregivers receive the physical and psychological resources they need.
- The Council on Aging for Buncombe County in a nonprofit whose goal is to provide services to individuals ages 60 and older. They offer a variety of services, including a program for caregiver support. You can find out more on their website at http://www.coabc.org/ or call (828) 277-8288.
- The Council on Aging for Henderson County provides and coordinates services to keep older adults living independently. You can learn more about them at their website http://coahc.org or by calling (828) 692-4203.
- Aging Projects, a consortium of nonprofit and for-profit providers, and community volunteers in Henderson County offers a directory of services for those wanting to age at home. Their website is http://agingprojectsinc.org/HendersonNC.
- Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care services brighten the lives of seniors who can benefit from a helping hand and a friendly smile.
- Asheville Buncombe Institute for Parity Achievement (ABIPA) is the premier grassroots organization focused on how business, government, and healthcare can successfully locate, educate, navigate and advocate health equity for African Americans and underserved populations in WNC.
Support Groups
Western North Carolina is home to many support groups for caregivers. Support groups are meetings of individuals who share common experiences. They share stories, resources, encouragement, and advice.
- CarePartners Caregivers Support Group meets the third Wednesday of every month from 3:30–5:30 p.m. For location and details, contact Sandy Norbo at (828) 277-3399
- MemoryCare offers several support groups for those who are caring for family members with cognitive difficulties, including Alzheimer’s. For a complete list by location, visit their website.
Veterans
The VA offers specialized services for veterans and their caregivers. There is a special Caregiver Support Line, and you may be eligible for a dedicated Caregiver Support Coordinator.
Learn more at http://www.asheville.va.gov/services/caregiver/ or call (855) 260-3274.
TOO MUCH?
Is this list too long? Are you overwhelmed? We get it. Just call us – we can help. (828) 348-3000.
