Foundations that Fund Services for Caregivers

Recent estimates from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) indicate that individuals turning 65 might require up to three years of long-term care. Unpaid caregivers, such as family members or community volunteers, provide the majority of that long-term care. According to a 2004 DHHS survey, approximately 21 percent of the adult population of America provided care for an adult family member or friend. On average, caregivers spend 21 hours per week caring for their care recipients. The time commitment and daily demands of caregivers can be exhausting or distressing. Caregivers themselves require support and training to help with their daily demands; several foundations help fund these services.

Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.

• Harry Weinberg established the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation in 1959 to ensure charitable activities after he were gone. The son of poor immigrants, Harry developed a mass transit empire and became one of the wealthiest real estate investors in America. The Weinberg Foundation aids the poor through grants to service organizations that focus on providing basic needs, and seeks to provide operating funds for programs that support informal caregivers as well as those that promote professional long-term care workers.

The Caregiver Foundation of America

• A not-for-profit organization founded by Gary A. Powell, himself a long-time care provider, the Caregiver Foundation of America seeks to provide numerous support tools and resources to help caregivers. In addition to providing online resources on topics of interest to caregivers, the Caregiver Foundation conducts training sessions and support groups free-of-charge. The Caregiver Foundation makes available several paid services to assist caregivers coordinate more complex aspects of caregiving.

National Caregiving Foundation

• The National Caregiving Foundation distributes educational support kits free of charge. The foundation's Caregiver's Support Kit focuses primarily on the needs and demands of caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease; however, the material in the kit applies to the majority of patients requiring care and attention. The National Caregiving Foundation also carries a support kit specifically written for caregivers caring for wounded veterans.

Caregiver Relief Fund

• Founded in 2009, the Caregiver Relief Fund addresses two major problems that informal caregivers face. Caregivers often suffer from stress and exhaustion. The Caregiver Relief Fund awards informal caregivers with vouchers for professional at-home care services. The vouchers allow the caregiver time to focus on their personal needs and establish a long-term care plan.