LEWISTON — SeniorsPlus, with support from the Office of Aging and Disability Services, is administering a new pilot program, Respite for ME Grants.

Thousands of Mainers care for family members who are older, have a disability, or are not their biological child. Caregivers also can be neighbors extending a helping hand to an older adult, or someone with Alzheimer’s or related dementias, according to a news release from Corey LaFlamme, SeniorsPlus marketing and development assistant.

Many of these caregivers do not have access to state- or federally funded programs to help with expenses. Respite for ME Grants, funded by the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, will allow unpaid caregivers who are not currently receiving any state- or federally funded services to access respite care as well as other services not currently covered by existing programs.

Eligible caregivers may be reimbursed up to $2,000 for needed services.

Services that eligible caregivers may access include respite care, assistive technology, home modification and repair, self-care and legal consultation.

SeniorsPlus is the designated area agency on aging serving Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties.

Call SeniorsPlus about Respite for ME at 207-795-4010.

For details, including eligibility, visit maine.gov/givecare.

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