Conditions & Populations

Washington continues to focus on improving access, developing and strengthening the respite system while taking into consideration certain populations which are underserved, and certain health conditions, some of which are highlighted below.

American Indian/Alaskan Native

Lifespan Respite WA is working to increase respite options for American Indian and Alaskan Native caregivers with input from the Tribes themselves as they have the knowledge and awareness of how to meet this need. The Lifespan Respite WA Voucher Program is open to all eligible American Indian and Alaskan Native caregivers.

Children with Special Health Care Needs

Accepting help to provide care to your child can be challenging; however, parents and other caregivers deserve a break and time to recharge themselves.

Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease

For information about various forms of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, reference the Alzheimer’s Association.

For respite care options, explore respite resources the Adults & Elders page on this website.

HFC® HFC is a resource to help bridge gaps in understanding the landscape of Alzheimer’s disease. HFC is dedicated to raising awareness, inspiring change, and accelerating progress in Alzheimer’s care, research, and support through the engagement of millennials.

Grants for Respite: HFC and the Home Instead Senior Care network are working together to award in-home care grants to those providing care to their loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. HFC is proud to have awarded over 211,000 hours of in-home respite care across the United States and Canada. Learn more about these grants on their website!

LGTBQ+

(Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Bisexual, Questioning/Queer, “+”-indicates that this acronym expands to include individuals of diverse identities relating to gender, identity, sexuality, and relationships.)

SAGE, Advocacy & Services for LGBTQ+ Elders, says “We’re a national advocacy and services organization that’s been looking out for LGBTQ+ [their acronym] elders since 1978. We build welcoming communities and keep our issues in the national conversation to ensure a fulfilling future for all LGBTQ+ people”.

Among their many resources and program areas is the National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, covering:

  • Caregiving
  • LGBTQ+ inclusion and cultural competency
  • Elder abuse and neglect
  • Social security, Medicare, and Medicaid
  • Health care
  • Financial security and retirement
  • Housing
  • HIV/AIDS

They offer a tip sheet for Finding LGBT-Affirming Services.

The WA State SAGE Affiliate is SAGE Olympia. Contact them through their website at http://sageolympia.org/contact-us/.

Military/Veterans

The VA provides a variety of caregiver services to Veterans and their caregivers:

For active duty and reserve component military families:

Private non-profits in Washington State:

Paralysis

The Here and Now Project serves the Pacific Northwest Paralysis Community. They have created thousands of meaningful connections between hundreds of individuals living with paralysis all over the Pacific Northwest and built a community of support that the newly paralyzed have come to trust as a tremendous resource for how to move forward after a life-changing injury or diagnosis.

Traumatic Brain Injury

When someone suffers a violent blow or jolt to the head, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), may occur, affecting the entire family. If you are caring for a partner, spouse, child, relative, or close friend with TBI, it is important to recognize how stressful this situation can be and to seek support services.

2-1-1-WA for Traumatic Brain Injury Resources (TBI). 2-1-1-WA is the Information & Referral Services organization for Washington residents of any age impacted by a traumatic brain injury (including concussion). This is the place to begin to get information and be referred to services.They have a new and extensive TBI resource page.

Other state-wide resources:

  • Brain Injury Alliance Washington (BIAWA) is a statewide resource for individuals with brain injury, offering free classes, support groups,and social opportunities.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council‘s intent is to bring together expertise from the public and private sectors and includes individuals with a TBI, medical professionals serving individuals with TBI, human service providers, family members, caregivers and state agency representatives.

There are other types of brain injury called Acquired Brain Injury (where brain damage may have been caused by illness, dementia, or other conditions). Contact your local Family Caregiver Support Program or visit the Aging and Long Term Support Administration website for Acquired Brain Injury resources.