ABOUT THE FAMILY CAREGIVER ALLIANCE OF RHODE ISLAND
The Family Caregiver Alliance of RI actively supports those caring for a diverse range of people across the lifespan. From working caregivers, caregivers of veterans, spousal caregivers, pediatric caregivers, older adult and youth caregivers, and all others in need.
Family caregivers include people of all ages, from youth to grandparents; people with and without disabilities; people providing care from a distance; and people meeting a wide variety of needs, such as supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) across the lifespan, caring for people with serious and/or progressive illnesses like dementia and cancer, and assisting with daily tasks that can be challenging for older people and people with disabilities.
We provide advocacy, education, peer support and resources to the growing population of family caregivers in Rhode Island.
OUR MISSION
The Family Caregiver Alliance of RI advocates alongside family caregivers to expand access to services and supports. We provide resources, information, and connections to programs that meet the needs of those who provide care for others.
OUR VISION
We envision a Rhode Island that recognizes the value of caregivers, their labor and dedication to caring for their loved ones and can offer families access to the right supports at the right time.
OUR VALUES
We believe in caregivers and their dedication.
We believe in amplifying the voice and experiences of caregivers.
We believe in intentional partnerships and coalitions.
We believe in increasing the range of services and options for families.
Are you a caregiver?
- Do you help someone with meals, errands, or bills?
- Do you give someone their medicine?
- Do you help someone bathe or dress?
- Do you take care of a child with special needs?
- Do you take care of an older adult with dementia?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are a caregiver. Caregivers are everywhere and help all kinds of people. You may help a child, grandchild, spouse, parent, grandparent, relative, friend, neighbor, or someone else. You may help them with a few things or most things, every now and then or every day or you may just visit them regularly to see how they are doing.
What do caregivers need?
Currently, the reported 121,000 caregivers in RI are often underrepresented, unappreciated and under-supported. And, The Family Caregiver Alliance of RI is committed to changing that.
We are embarking on statewide efforts to collect information on the needs, challenges and priorities of those who provide care to loved ones in our communities to inform the updates to the RI State Plan for Family Caregivers and guide the focus of the Family Caregiver Alliance.
TAKE THE 2025 CAREGIVER SURVEY
Available in:
Questions about the survey and focus groups? Contact E. Denise Meza at denise.meza@unitedwayri.org
CAREGIVER RESOURCES
1O Tips for Family Caregivers - https://www.caregiveraction.org/10-tips-family-caregivers/
LIFESPAN RESPITE PROGRAM
What is respite care?
Planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with special needs in order to provide temporary relief to family caregivers who are caring for that child or adult.
Lifespan Respite Care Act definition PL 109-442
Respite care provides short-term relief for primary caregivers, giving them time to rest, travel, or spend time with other family and friends
Respite care can be beneficial for caregivers of people who are sick, aging, or disabled. It can help caregivers:
- Rest
- Travel
- Spend time with friends and family
- Relieve stress
- Restore energy
- Receive medical care of their own
- Avoid burnout
If you’re a primary caregiver, you may benefit from looking into respite care. Respite care exists to offer home care assistance to primary caregivers who could use some time off. You do a great job taking care of your loved one, but it’s a lot of hard work. If you’re feeling like you could benefit from a break, talk to a reputable and trusted care service about respite care.
CAREGIVER RESOURCES
The CareBreaks respite services program provides unpaid primary caregivers of physically disabled individuals, those with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, and frail seniors a break (respite) from caring for their loved one.
The CareBreaks respite services program is administered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. It is funded by Rhode Island’s Office of Healthy Aging via the Older Americans Act and general revenue state funds. Both in-home and
out-of-home respite care services are provided on an intermittent and regular basis.
To apply call (401) 421-7833 x 212 Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 pm
Or visit https://dioceseofprovidence.org
Respite care can be free or through shared cost based on the caregiver's household income* Care recipient income is not counted.
2. Free group respite at University of Rhode Island
URI's College of Nursing students provide respite care for parents of children with special needs, at no cost to them. For four hours every Saturday afternoon, URI Nursing and Health Sciences students take care of children with special needs, ranging from mild to severe, giving their parents a chance to take a break.
The program takes place every Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m., in the Department of Physical Therapy facilities in Independence Square on the edge of the Kingston campus.
This care is also free and folks can drop in.
Contact Chris McGrane, PhD RN at 401-575-2578, cmcgrane@uri.edu or 401-874-5347
3. VA Providence – for caregivers of Veterans
There are two types of respite:
Home Respite Care is a service that pays for a person to come to a Veteran's home or for a Veteran to go to an adult day health care program while their family caregiver takes a break or runs errands.
Nursing Home Respite Care is a service that pays for a Veteran to go to a nursing home while the family goes out of town for a few days without worrying about leaving the Veteran alone at home. Nursing home respite may take place in a VA Community Living Center or a community nursing home and is available for a maximum of 30 days each calendar year. This type of respite should be scheduled in advance. Services may vary by location.
The program is for Veterans who need help with activities of daily living. Examples include help with bathing, dressing, or fixing meals. This program is also for Veterans who are isolated, or their caregiver is experiencing burden. Respite Care can be used in combination with other Home and Community Based Services.
Respite Care can help lower the stress the Veterans and their family caregiver may feel when managing a Veteran's short-term or long-term care needs at home.
If you are a caregiver for a Veteran, you can get support by contacting a VA Providence caregiver support Program. We can help with:
- Getting caregiver assistance available through VA
- Matching you with services and benefits
- Connecting you with local resources and programs
CALL the VA Caregiver Program 401-273-7100, ext. 13283
Or visit https://www.va.gov/providence-health-care/health-services/caregiver-support/
Respite Locator Service - https://archrespite.org/caregiver-resources/respitelocator/
Other Resources
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Hotline - 800.272.3900
Grandparents as Caregivers Program at the YMCA
Through our partnership with the YMCA, we offer free educational and wellness programming year-round for children whose primary caregivers are 55 or older. After-school care, summer camp scholarships, and free Y-based programs are available. This service is available to families in the greater Providence, Pawtucket, Lincoln, and Woonsocket areas; there are no income restrictions
20 Summer St, Pawtucket
RI 02860
The Village for RI Foster & Adoptive Families
The Village was incorporated in March of 2016 as RI’s only foster and adoptive family founded and governed support organization. Today, The Village offers Peer Support for Kinship, Foster and Adoptive Families through monthly support groups, a community closet and family events.
For more information visit RIVillage.org, email admin@rivillage.org or call (401) 481-5483.
Caregiver Action Network – CAN
National Organization that works to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for a loved one with chronic conditions.
Call the Caregiver Help Desk 855-227-3640
Caregiveraction.org
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Evidence-based self-care education program for family caregivers that provides tools and strategies to better handle unique caregiver challenges. Free of charge.
Call Catholic Social Services at 401-278-25-02
Dioceseofprovidence.org/elderservices
National Alliance for Caregiving 202-918-1013. www.caregiving.org
Archangels - https://www.archangels.me/
RESOURCE LOCATOR - https://tari.myresourcedirectory.com/
Need other resource information, referral or application assistance?
The Family Caregiver Alliance of RI and the Aging and Disability Resource center can provide caregiver crisis management and or practical caregiving help and advice.
CALL the POINT, RI’s Aging and Disability Resource Center at Call (401) 462-4444
Or contact the Family Caregiver Alliance Program Officer at denise.meza@unitedwayri.org
Subscribe for Updates and Caregiving News
This program is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $75,024.00 with 75% percentage funded by ACL/HHS and $25,392.68 amount and 25%percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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Equity Challenge 2025
During a time of uncertainty and division, United Way of Rhode Island aims to help bring together individuals and organizations towards a greater understanding around the practices underlying humanity, respect, and inclusion. The Equity Challenge is in its fifth year and iteration and is centered on the concept of “U.N.I.T.E.” (Universal, Neighborly, Intentional, Transformative, and Equity).
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Monday, June 16: Universal
Tuesday, June 17: Neighborly
Wednesday, June 18: Intentional
Thursday, June 19: Transformation
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