Older Relative Caregiver Program

Supporting Grandparents and Older Relatives Caring for Children

Providing essential support, resources, and community connections for grandparents and older relatives caring for children.

Raising children, as well as caring for someone with a disability, is a labor of love. But that responsibility can also raise a number of issues for older adults as primary caregivers. The Alabama Cares program of United Way’s Area Aging on Aging offers help to ease the strain and challenges you may be facing.

The goal of the Older Relative Caregiver program is to provide support and assistance through case management and support groups to help you successfully raise children or care for loved ones who are not able to care for themselves.

a white-haired man in a blue shirt and woman in a white shirt laugh and smile while reading a book to a giggling toddler girl in a yellow onesie.

Services and support may include:

Temporary financial assistance

Back-to-school supplies

After-school care or childcare

Tutoring programs

Summer camp

Support Groups

Support Groups:

  • Meet monthly at United Way of Central Alabama.
  • Are conducted in a relaxed, confidential environment.
  • Offer the opportunity to meet other caregivers.
  • Allow you to discover new resources for assistance.
  • Are provided at no cost.

The Older Relative Caregiver support group is held the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at United Way of Central Alabama in Alice Williams Building Room 102.

Older Relative Caregiver Support Group 2025 Meeting Dates:

  • January 21, 2025
  • February 18, 2025
  • March 18, 2025
  • April 15, 2025
  • May 20, 2025
  • June 17, 2025
  • July 15, 2025
  • August 19, 2025
  • September 16, 2025
  • October 21, 2025
  • November 18, 2025
  • December 16, 2025

You may be eligible for services if:

  • You provide informal in-home and community care.
  • You are 55 or older and live with, and provide care for, a child aged 18 or younger, or a child of any age who has a mental or developmental disability that results in a functional limitation of three or more major life activities.
  • You are not the parent, but related to the child by blood, marriage or adoption.

Call 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463) for more information on the program and qualifications or for support group meeting times and dates.