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PAGE 4 / NOVEMBER 2022 While memory care homes are a welcome resource for some, many people wish to keep caring for their loved ones with Alzheimer's or dementia in their home, with their family, for as long as possible. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia is a commitment and journey and finding the help you need to keep your loved one safe, while also taking care of yourself and family, can be difficult. Finding the help you need to do so safely, while taking care of yourself and your family in the meantime, can be even harder. The Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) offers free, comprehensive help to ease the burdens of becoming a caretaker. Erin Alewine, the program coordinator for MRHA's Customized Caregiver Training & Relief Program, or CCTRP, helps to facilitate reimbursements for qualifying expenses, guide people through the program with education and support, and connect people to additional resources. With a passion for community work, and after observing the challenges of taking on the role of a caregiver within her own family, Alewine developed a deeper appreciation for the need for caregiver support. When she saw the CCTRP position open, she felt called to it. "Coordinating the Caregiver Program and working with the wonderful families who are part of it has been the most fulfilling position I have ever had," she said. The program features two tracks, both of which offer training and education for caregivers to navigate the unknowns and prepare for the dementia journey. Track One provides in-home assessments and help setting up the home to facilitate safety. Track Two features the opportunity for financial reimbursement for costs associated with in-home care, up to $700. Regardless of track, the CCTRP and the people who make it possible are dedicated to being accessible resources for caregivers as their needs and questions change. Program participants are connected with a number of other resources that can provide additional support as the memory loss patient's needs change. One such resource is the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 helpline, at 1-800-272-3900. Caregivers looking for local resources can contact the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging (MA4) at 1-573-668-8824 to find a local chapter. MA4 provides access to many community resources, as well as legal services, in-home services, nutrition, health promotion, and many other things. Additionally, https://www.findhelp.org/ is an online tool to help families find connection and support locally for a variety of needs, including memory care. The most important resource for the caregivers themselves is a support system, whether that be family, friends, or even a local support group. "MRHA and the CCTRP are here to help," said Alewine. "I welcome families to call and find out more!" Call MRHA at 573-415-7343 if you are enrolled in the program and need additional resources. By Katie Feuerstein Free Program Helps People Care for Loved Ones with Dementia Free Program Helps People Care for Loved Ones with Dementia Even if you don't anticipate becoming a caregiver soon, you can help those who are: "Spread the word," said Alewine. "Many people don't know these kinds of programs exist." The more people who learn about caregiver relief programs, the more people can benefit from using them. That lack of visibility is the program's primary hurdle to growing and supporting more individuals in need. Especially in clinics, spreading information about the program is the best way to bring awareness for those who can use its services. Learn more about the CCTRP by visiting https://mrhassociation.org/caregivers/. Erin Alewine, Program Coordinator for MRHA's Customized Caregiver Training & Relief Program