Southern Caregiver Resource Center is the leading provider of support services to family caregivers in San Diego County.  Southern Caregiver Resource Center is a non-profit organization established in 1987, specializing in helping those who care for others through comprehensive services delivered by an experienced and compassionate staff. Their programs are tailored to the individual needs of the family-caregiver, while exploring all options in deciding the best care for the family-caregiver as well as for the adult person/s in their care. Services include case management, respite care, short-term counseling, support groups, legal and financial consultation, education, and training. Operation Family Caregiver and the REACH CALMA programs are a few of the caregiver services they provide.  More information can be found on their website.

By partnering with different members of the community the Southern Caregiver Resource Center is able to deliver free, evidence-based caregiver services to all of San Diego County.  Their partners include San Ysidro Health Center, La Maestra Community Health Centers, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Parkinson's Association, Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer’s San Diego, Elder Law and Advocacy, Jewish Family Service, The Glenner Family Day Care Centers, North County Health Services, Aging and Independence Services, County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services, 211 San Diego, PsychArmor, Solders Project, Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, San Diego State University –Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency Alzheimer’s Project, UCSD Shiley Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease and Research Center, UCSD Behavioral Health Center, Sharp Health Care; and several other community groups.

AIS/NFC Caregiver Marilyn Gill Story

Marilyn Gill is the mother of a 39 year-old son with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Marilyn’s son had his Traumatic Brain Injury as a young adult and aside from being his mother she became his caregiver ever since. As all caregivers experience sooner or later, she reached a point where she became desperate for a break from her added role as a caregiver.  That is when she heard about Southern Caregiver Resource Center and reached out to them for assistance.

For two years, Marilyn has utilized their services including counseling, respite, and attending one of their support groups. The support group she attends is facilitated by their clinical staff allowing her a “safe place to vent” as well as cultivate lasting friendships. In addition she has learned how to care for herself, learned more about treatment options, communication techniques, as well as how to better manage the stress that often manifests from her caregiver responsibilities. Marilyn feels that this group has allowed her to learn from others in similar situations and even improved her relationship with her son through the respite program offered by the Southern Caregiver Resource Center.  Receiving their services has allowed her to feel as if “weight has been lifted” from her shoulders and only wishes she would have known about their services sooner. She is now motivated to help others and has even referred some of her friends to the organization.