(a) The CRCs shall deliver services to and advocate for caregivers of cognitively impaired adults, as established in the CRC Operations Manual.
(b) These services shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) Specialized and accessible information on chronic and disabling conditions and diseases, aging, caregiving issues, and community resources.
(2) Family consultation. Professional staff shall work with families and caregivers to provide support, alleviate stress, examine options, and enable them to make decisions related to the care of cognitively impaired adults. Clinical staff shall provide an assessment of caregiver needs, short- and long-term care planning, and ongoing consultation.
(3) Respite care. The CRCs shall arrange respite services to relieve caregivers of the stress of constant care.
(4) Short-term counseling. The CRCs shall provide short-term individual or group counseling sessions to caregivers seeking emotional support, skill development, and strategies to better cope with their caregiving situation.
(5) Support groups. The CRCs shall offer support groups that enable caregivers to share experiences and ideas to ease the stress of their caregiving role.
(6) Legal and financial consultation, including professional legal assistance or referrals to professional legal assistance, that can help caregivers with a variety of issues, including estate planning, trusts, wills, conservatorships, and durable powers of attorney.
(7) Education and training. The CRCs shall organize and conduct education for groups of caregivers and community professionals on a variety of topics related to caregiving.
(c) The amount of each of the services specified in subdivision (b) that are provided shall be determined by local needs and available resources.
(d) Persons receiving services pursuant to this chapter may be required to contribute to the cost of services depending upon their ability to pay, but not to exceed the actual cost thereof.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 50, Sec. 39. (SB 187) Effective June 30, 2022.)