Caregivers, you don’t have to carry it all by yourself! Help is available through a partnership between the Allegheny County Department of Human Services/Area Agency on Aging (DHS/AAA) and the Allegheny County Library Association.
For many, caring for a loved one who is elderly or dependent and needs assistance can often feel overwhelming. In order to support nonprofessional family caregivers, the DHS/AAA Caregiver Resource Committee, in partnership with the Allegheny County Library Association and other local agencies, are offering Caregiver Support Backpacks. The backpacks are filled with brochures, books, DVDs, and other educational materials. They were designed to inform caregivers on relevant topics, provide easy-to-use tips, and connect caregivers with community resources.
Family caregivers are busy people who seek balance between their lives and meeting the needs of an ill or aging loved one. Finding time to learn more about caregiving skills or identifying supports can sometimes prove difficult. These backpacks allow family caregivers to learn about topics relevant to their situation at a self-guided pace.
The 50 backpacks are available for checkout at any Allegheny County Library Association member library beginning this month. Caregivers may borrow the bag for three weeks, and renew or return as they would any other library material.
To learn more about the caregiver backpacks, and other family caregiver services at the AC DHS/AAA, visit alleghenycounty.us/Human-Services/News-Events/Engagement/Caregiver-Support-Programs.aspx or call SeniorLine at (412) 350-5460.
