Caregivers Need Respite, Too.

Caregiver Grants are scholarships that provide educational travel opportunities to older adults who serve as primary caregivers for ill or disabled loved ones. A Caregiver Grant is an award of up to $1,300 applied to the cost of a Road Scholar program based in the U.S. or Canada. These grants address the growing need of those seeking respite from the emotional responsibility of caring for a loved one.

Caregiver Grants are designed to provide enriching opportunities for those shouldering the weighty responsibility of serving as family caregivers. According to a report entitled Caregiving in the U.S. 2015, published by the AARP Public Policy Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving, nearly 1 in 10 caregivers—more than 3 million adults—is now 75 years of age or older. Since individuals 85 years and older are one of the fastest growing segments of the population, the trend of older adults serving as family caregivers will continue. In many cases, the responsibility of caregiving takes both an emotional and financial toll.  

The Caregiver Grant is an award of up to $1,300 applied to the cost of a U.S. or Canada-based Road Scholar learning adventure that costs no more than $1,400. Grant recipients are responsible for their round-trip transportation to and from the program. Road Scholar takes care of everything else: Lodging, meals, field trips, transportation during the program and much more — it’s all included.

Participating in a Road Scholar program is a very special experience of learning and community. Road Scholar programs are a wonderful way to feel revitalized, to make new friends and to spark creativity and intellectual curiosity. This unique Road Scholar experience could be especially helpful for caregivers who are experiencing isolation and feelings of depression, stress and anxiety.

Funding for the Caregiver Grant comes from the generous support of our donors, who want to give the gift of learning and renewal to those who are otherwise unable to participate. 

•    A gift of $1,300 covers the cost of one Caregiver Grant, providing a life-changing experience for someone who needs a break from caregiving. 

•    An endowed Caregiver Grant fund can be established with gifts of $10,000 or more to produce annual income in perpetuity.

Caregivers are an often overlooked group that can benefit greatly from the respite and renewal of a Road Scholar educational travel experience. The responsibility of caring for a loved one is associated with feelings of isolation, depression, stress and anxiety. These grants provide a life-changing chance for family caregivers to recharge, learn, travel and enjoy social connections. The warm, welcoming and friendly nature of Road Scholar learning adventures provides a much-needed respite from the emotional and physical demands of being a caregiver.