Are you a family caregiver for an older adult, or an adult or child with a disability, with a serious health condition? Fairfax County offers resources to help family members or friends who provide care and assistance to a loved one due to an illness, injury or disability.
If you have questions or are not sure where to start, call the Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948, TTY 711, or submit a request form.
Basic Needs
Food and Nutrition: Access to healthy foods and good nutrition plays a part in your loved one’s health. Their medical condition may require certain nutritional changes or needs. Fairfax County Public Assistance and Employment Services (PAES) can provide information on how to apply for food assistance. Eligible adults over the age of 60 or adults with a disability who are homebound and unable to prepare their own meals can contact the Aging, Disability, and Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948, TTY 711, to inquire about the Home Delivered Meals Program.
Transportation: Explore transportation options available in the community for older adults and adults with disabilities to get to and from medical appointments: Transportation for Older Adults. If your loved one qualifies for Medicaid, transportation services to medical appointments are available with most Medicaid plans. Learn more about how Medicaid can help you.
Respite Care: Respite Care provides temporary relief to a primary caregiver from the continuous support and care of a loved one who has a disability or medical condition. The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program provides reimbursement vouchers to Virginia caregivers for the cost of temporary, short-term respite care provided to individuals of any age with a documented disability or medical condition: Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program.
Inova ElderLink also has respite care options designed to give full-time, family caregivers of older adults a temporary break from caregiving duties. This program offers up to six hours per week of in-home personal care services, companionship and supervision for eligible clients. The service includes a full assessment and ongoing case management. Co-pay rates are dependent on the client’s functional status (physical/cognitive need) and income level. For more information or to request a service, call the ElderLink Intake Line at 703-324-5374, TTY 711. Learn more about respite care options for older adults and adults with disabilities.
Health and Medical Needs
Vaccines: Vaccines reduce the risk of infection by working with the body's natural defenses to help it safely develop immunity to diseases and are proven to be safe and effective. More information on vaccines for each age group can be found here: Immunization and Vaccinations.
Health Care: Your community has many resources to help you access health care, even if you don’t have insurance or cannot afford care. Find resources in the healthcare categories listed on this page: Find Health Care. The county also provides information on free or low-cost medical care for adults and families: Free or Low-Cost Medical Care for Adults and Families. For older adults, learn more about Medicare options from the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program.
Mental Health: The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) provides services to people who have mental illness, substance use disorders and/or developmental disabilities. To learn more about and apply for CSB services, visit Mental health | Community Services Board. The CSB also offers virtual trainings to promote wellness. See a list of the offerings online.
Health Emergencies: In a life-threatening emergency, dial 911. Dial 988 for the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and behavioral health support (more information can be found online). CSB also offers 24/7 walk-in emergency mental health and substance use disorders services at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health (8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax). To reach emergency services, call the 24-hour phone number at 703-573-5679.
Medical Waste Disposal
When taking care of someone at home, it's important to dispose of medical waste safely.
Needles and Syringes (Sharps): Put sharps in a rigid container, label it with a warning, clip the needle or recap it, seal with a cap and tape, and throw it in your household trash. Learn more about how to dispose of medical waste from the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services: Sharps and Medical Waste.
Materials Containing Human Waste (diapers, colostomy bags, catheter bags, etc.): Any human waste should be emptied into the toilet and flushed. Put the empty bag, diaper, etc. in a sturdy, leak-proof bag before throwing it in the trash.
Unused or Expired Medicine: Dispose of them properly to prevent misuse and accidental poisoning and to protect the environment. Learn more about the Safe Disposal of Medicines.
Read more about the resources for caregiving to a loved one in this NewsLink article.