Caregiving Consultation

Licensed, experienced geriatric specialists are available at the Schmieding Center and ElderStay@home to consult with individuals, families and professional caregivers regarding home care, caregiver employment, assisted living options, nursing care facilities and government programs for elders.

Schmieding staff members can advise families and elders on home care resources and specialty products to make the home environment safer for independent living. The Caregiver Directory is a complete list of all graduates of the Center's home caregiver training programs. The Caregiver Directory contains the caregiver's name, phone number, preferred work hours and preferred work locations, so people searching for caregivers can choose and contact directly the candidates who are best suited to their needs.

If a family is weighing a decision about nursing home placement, a geriatric social worker can advise on the admission process, financial concerns and criteria for selecting an appropriate facility.

Many elders and their family members often have questions about community and government programs for which they qualify. The Schmieding Center for Senior Education offers information and makes referrals to community programs, including:

• Adult Day Care
• Lifeline
• Meals on Wheels
• Ozark Transit and other transportation programs

In addition, Arkansas now has several state tax regulations offering tax reductions to elders. Government programs and agencies of interest to elders include:

• Area Agency on Aging
• Medicare
• ElderChoices
• Adult Protective Services
• Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Home Energy Assistance Program

Families and professional caregivers also can receive consultations on appropriate communication techniques that are effective with patients with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementing diseases. A one-hour initial consultation is provided at no charge. Extended consultation and referral services are available at an hourly fee.

Contact Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education for additional information at info@schmiedingcenter.org or 479.751.3043, or call toll-free at 888.866.8991.