The Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) launched the Caregiver Coaching program in Livingston and Washtenaw counties in 2020. In 2021, the program expanded into Macomb and Oakland counties in 2021. Caregiver Coaching is a free program that matches people caring for an aging or disabled loved one with a compassionate, trained volunteer who works with them one-on-one. Depending on the caregivers' needs, volunteer coaches can be guides, sounding boards, researchers, cheerleaders, encouragers, calmer-downers, or lifter-uppers. The volunteer coaches strive to build a safe and supportive environment where they walk beside you on the caregiving journey.
The program is built around caregivers' needs. There is no minimum number of communications required and no specific structure or schedule. Typically, you will meet with your coach over the phone once a month, but every caregiver has different needs. Some caregivers want someone to talk to regularly, while others want support in creating to-dos or sorting through resource lists. There is no right or wrong way. The coaches are here to support you.
For more information or to volunteer for the program, call (800) 852-7795, email coaching@aaa1b.org, or visit https://aaa1b.org/caregiver-coaching/.
