Ages & Stages: Caregivers Can Find Support and Resources in Virginia Beach

The City of Virginia Beach offers help for residents caring for a child, senior or those with special needs.

National Family Caregivers Month is observed every November to honor the estimated 50 to 63 million unpaid family caregivers in the United States and raise awareness of their contributions.

While caregiving can be a rewarding experience, it also can come with challenges.

Discover City of Virginia Beach resources and assistance for caregivers, including a virtual session on understanding caregiver stress on Nov. 19. Find many more offerings below and at VirginiaBeach.gov/AgesandStages. Call 311 with questions on any of the offerings.

Support for Caregivers

Understanding Caregiver Stress: Join this free virtual training from the Department of Human Services (DHS), noon-1 p.m., Nov. 19, to learn to identify signs of stress and burnout, risk factors, coping strategies, treatment options and more. Registration is required. Please call 757-385-0800 before Nov. 19 to register and receive a link to this virtual program.  

Visit Human Services on EventBrite to find more educational programs and trainings supporting healthy lifestyles for Virginia Beach residents.
Kinship Care: Any adult who cares for a child they have a kinship bond with can get information and resources through DHS’ Kinship Navigator Program.
Parenting Programs: Parents and guardians of children can find DHS programs, support and services to help them be successful.

Caring for Seniors and Individuals with Special Needs

Adult Foster Care: Residents can apply to DHS to provide a supportive home for adults ages 60+ who need help with day-to-day living and those ages 18-59 who are incapacitated.
Living Safely with Alzheimer’s Disease: Caregivers and families can learn about home safety strategies, behavioral understanding and local guidance to increase safety and reduce risk for those with Alzheimer’s disease. Request information through the Community Liaison Program of the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD).
Project Lifesaver: Specially trained VBPD officers can use tracking equipment to help locate missing persons who are enrolled in Project Lifesaver. Residents with family members with autism, Down syndrome or dementia can enroll in Project Lifesaver at no cost.
Senior and Disabled Tax Relief: Qualifying Virginia Beach residents aged 65 and older may apply for tax relief on real estate, vehicles and mobile homes, from the Commissioner of the Revenue.
History Museum Outreach: Seniors in living centers can hear educational presentations tailored for them from Virginia Beach History Museums educators. Senior living community staff are asked to contact John Lodge at JLodge@vbgov.com or 757-385-5109 to arrange outreach opportunities.
Library Outreach: Senior communities can request library services from the Virginia Beach Public Library (VBPL).
Sensory Friendly Morning at the Aquarium: Guests of all ages, abilities and needs — along with their families — can explore the Virginia Aquarium in a calm, comfortable and sensory-friendly environment.

Caring for Children

Car Seat Checks: Residents can make an appointment to get free car seat checks and installation assistance from the Life Safety Division of the Virginia Beach Fire Department with a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.
Early Childhood Programs: Kids ages 2.5-5 are cared for in licensed and regulated childcare programs at four of Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation rec centers.
Growsmart: Kids ages 0-8, parents and families can find resources and programs to promote healthy development, school readiness and reading proficiency through this collaboration with VBPL.
Homeschool Programs at the Aquarium: Homeschool families can join self-guided tours, educational boat tours, and standards-based programs at the Virginia Aquarium.
Help for Childhood Stress: The upcoming holidays can be overwhelming for little ones between disrupted routines, later bedtimes, meeting new people, experiencing different environments and more. Check out resources from VBPL to help your child manage anxiety.
Managing behavioral issues: If your child is experiencing behavioral issues beyond holiday stress, reach out to Child & Youth Behavioral Health Division at 757-385-0800. This DHS division serves to enhaManaging Behavioral Issuesnce the lives of children, adolescents and their families.

If you're interested learning how you can help others in our community, start with the Virginia Beach Office of Volunteer Resources.

Find Something for All Ages & Stages!

Find more City offerings for caregivers at VirginiaBeach.gov/AgesandStages , where you can filter more than 90 programs, special events, resources and assistance from across 30 City of Virginia Beach departments. Browse the listings from A to Z or filter by type and audience: children and families, teens, adults, seniors and caregivers. If you have questions about any of the services, call 311 for more information.

In addition, you can sign up to receive email newsletters about things to do and City offerings tailored for your interests.

Other ways to connect with the City include visiting the City's calendars, such as:

Use mobile apps such as VB Connect to find City information and services, and VB Go, to find more than 6,000 events in Virginia Beach across multiple calendars. 

What Will You Discover?

Visit the Ages & Stages webpage and find your “something” to stay active, informed, supported and involved!  