What Is Family Caregiver Support?
Our Family caregiver support helps the people who care for an aging parent, spouse, or loved one, often while managing work, children, and their own health. It can include education, a care team to share decisions with, time away from caregiving, and practical help with the daily load.
If you are searching for help with caring for an elderly parent at home, you do not have to piece it together alone. Great Lakes PACE is built to support both the senior and the family who loves them.
Signs of Caregiver Burnout and Stress
Caregivers often put their own needs last. Over time, that can wear you down. Common signs of caregiver burnout include:
- Constant exhaustion, even after a good night of sleep
- Feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or hopeless
- Pulling away from friends, hobbies, and your own routines
- Getting sick more often or neglecting your own medical appointments
- Resentment or guilt about your caregiving role
These are signals, not failures. If some of these sound familiar, it may be time to bring in more support. For families facing a serious decline, our End of Life Care service explains how PACE supports caregivers during that stage.
How Great Lakes PACE Supports Family Caregivers
Great Lakes PACE helps seniors live safely at home and in the community while receiving coordinated medical and social support. For family caregivers, that means you are not the only one holding it all together.
Each participant has a care team that works with the family. You can share what you see at home, ask questions, and help shape the care plan. Many families find that having one team to call makes caring for an aging parent with multiple health conditions far more manageable.
Respite Care and Time Away for Caregivers
Rest is not a luxury, it is part of sustainable caregiving. Respite care for family caregivers gives you time to work, rest, or handle your own needs while your loved one is safe and cared for.
Through PACE, your loved one can spend time at the PACE center where they receive care and take part in group activities. To learn more about the center experience, see Social Activities for Seniors.
Help With Medical Care, Medications, and Appointments
Managing prescriptions, specialists, and transportation can feel like a second job. PACE brings these pieces together under one team, so you are not coordinating them yourself.
Support can include help with managing medications for elderly parents, coordination between doctors and specialists, and transportation to appointments. The goal is fewer phone calls, fewer gaps, and more time spent as family instead of as full-time scheduler.
Caregiver Support in Saginaw, Bay, Midland, Tuscola, and Shiawassee Counties
If your loved one lives in one of these counties, our enrollment team can confirm whether they live in a PACE service area and walk you through next steps. Check our Service Area Zip Code Directory
Frequently Asked Questions About Caregiver Support
Do I have to stop caring for my parent if they enroll in PACE?
No. Many family caregivers stay closely involved. PACE adds a care team that works alongside you.
Who makes care decisions?
Decisions are made together with the participant, their family or representative, and the care team.
Can I take part in care planning meetings?
Family caregivers are encouraged to be part of the conversation.
How do I get started?
Call our enrollment team to ask questions and check eligibility.
