Caregiver Support in Volusia County

You were never meant to do this alone

Caring for someone you love is one of the greatest gifts you can give, and it can also be one of the hardest. Some days are filled with joy. Other days leave you tired, worried or unsure where to turn.

Sender Retreat Cares, a program of the Sender Retreat Foundation, is a free caregiver resource center for Volusia County families: local support groups, respite, benefits, meals, transportation and crisis lines, written for the person doing the caring. It is open to every family, whether or not their loved one attends adult day care. This page gathers the numbers families ask for most; the full directory, with self-care guides and a printable quick-reference card, is at senderretreatcares.com.

Respite care

Council on Aging of Volusia County Respite Program. Group and in-home respite, plus caregiver support groups, so you can rest, run errands or keep your own appointments. Group respite is generally available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm; confirm eligibility and availability directly with the program. 386-262-5247

Council on Aging of Volusia County. Meals, in-home assistance, respite, senior programs and caregiver support. Some qualified seniors receive services without charge or with a modest copayment; private-pay services are also offered. 386-253-4700

Adult day care. A full, supervised day gives family caregivers dependable hours to work, rest or take care of themselves. The Foundation's Adopt a Senior program sponsors days of care at two licensed centers in West Volusia for seniors, veterans and adults with disabilities who could not otherwise attend. How adult day care works and how families pay for it.

Caregivers who need respite can now apply to the Sender Retreat Foundation for a grant for relief.

See how to apply

Someone to talk to

ElderSource caregiver support. The best place to begin if you feel overwhelmed: help finding caregiver programs, respite, support groups, counseling resources and educational workshops. 1-888-242-4464

Alzheimer's Association, Central and North Florida Chapter. Dementia education, caregiver support groups and local referrals for families facing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. 1-800-272-3900, answered 24 hours a day.

VA Caregiver Support Line. If your loved one is a Veteran, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers caregiver support, education, coaching and referrals. 1-855-260-3274

disAbility Solutions for Independent Living (DSIL). The Center for Independent Living for Volusia and Flagler counties: advocacy, peer support, independent-living skills and referrals for people with disabilities of every age. 386-255-1812 (TTY 386-252-6222)

Council on Aging of Volusia County. Caregiver information, referrals and connections to community resources and respite options. 386-253-4700

Navigating benefits

ElderSource, the Aging and Disability Resource Center for Volusia County. Start here if you don't know what you qualify for: long-term care programs, adult day care, respite, Medicare counseling, transportation, home-delivered meals and home care. 1-888-242-4464

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders). Free, unbiased Medicare counseling: compare plans, review prescription drug coverage and apply for Medicare Savings Programs. Book a SHINE appointment through ElderSource at 1-888-242-4464.

Florida Medicaid Long-Term Care. May help a loved one stay safely at home with adult day health care, personal care, respite, transportation and case management. To begin, call the Florida Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337. Florida Medicaid: 1-866-762-2237.

Veterans benefits. VA health care, pension, Aid and Attendance, the Caregiver Support Program and adult day health care. 1-800-827-1000

Medicare and Social Security. Medicare 1-800-633-4227 · Social Security 1-800-772-1213

The Foundation does not determine eligibility for government programs; we help families find the organizations that do.

Meals and transportation

Meals on Wheels and neighborhood dining. The Council on Aging of Volusia County provides home-delivered meals, neighborhood dining sites, including DeLand and Orange City, and nutrition education for eligible older adults. 386-253-4700

Food today. Dial 211 for the closest food pantry or community meal. The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County keeps an updated food pantry directory at volusia.floridahealth.gov (386-274-0500).

Votran and VoRide. Countywide public buses, most of them wheelchair accessible (386-756-7496), and VoRide on-demand shared rides in DeLand, Orange City, DeBary and Deltona (West Volusia 386-210-9861).

VoAccess door-to-door paratransit. For people who cannot use the regular bus because of a disability: medical appointments, dialysis, groceries and adult day care. An application is required; book at least a day ahead. West Volusia 386-943-7050.

Medicaid transportation. Rides to covered medical appointments may be available at no cost. 1-877-254-1055

Caring for yourself

If you notice these signs, it may be time to ask for help:

• Feeling overwhelmed every day
• Trouble sleeping or constant fatigue
• Anxiety, depression or irritability
• Feeling alone, or losing interest in things you once enjoyed
• Changes in appetite or frequent illness
• Feeling guilty when you take a break

Care for yourself first. Ask for help. Rest and recharge. Encourage yourself. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and respite care can give you a real break.

About Sender Retreat Cares

The Sender Retreat Foundation, Inc. is a Florida not-for-profit corporation and an IRS 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 88-2126844) based in DeLand. It is run by volunteers and has no paid employees. Sender Retreat Cares is one of its programs, alongside Adopt a Senior, which sponsors days of adult day care for low-income seniors, veterans and adults with disabilities.

Listings on this page are provided as a free community service and are not endorsements. Programs, hours and eligibility change, so please confirm details directly with each organization. If your organization serves caregivers in Volusia County and should be listed, contact us.