Caregiving Resources
An ever-increasing number of people are seeking caregiving resources.
There are more elderly in the United States than ever before. People are living longer and baby boomers will begin turning 65 in 2011. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the over-85 population could grow from 4.2 million in 2000 to nearly 21 million by 2050.
What does that mean to us as individuals? More of us are becoming caregivers for aging parents and other loved ones. Whether they are living in their own home, with us, or in an assisted living or nursing home facility, if we are responsible for any part of their care, we are caregivers.
I am an only child and served as a caregiver for my parents for about fifteen years. Mom and Dad are both with the Lord now, but it was such a blessing to be able to care for them. However, caregiving also presented many challenges. All of us who are caregivers find ourselves dealing with new emotions, with role reversals, with increasing physical demands and the on-going challenge of making decisions and choices.
I learned that the most important thing to remember is that we are not in this alone—our heavenly Father cares for us and will help us every step along the way if we will allow Him to. And beyond that, we need to be willing to ask others for help: family, friends, our church, support groups, and community agencies. There is a lot of help available.
Whether you are caring for aging parents or providing care for a younger loved one with special needs, I hope that this directory will lead you to the help you are seeking. Although many of the links are to secular services, I believe you will find them helpful. Please let me know if you come across other useful sites I haven't listed. And keep checking in—I will be continually adding new caregiver resources as I find them.
One unique resource that I would like to mention is a small group study called Caregiving: Caring for Aging Parents by Living Free. I was blessed to help put this study together. It deals with many issues facing caregivers—and all from a Christian perspective. The study is an ideal tool for churches and care facilities to help families and loved ones who are caregivers.
May God bless you and your loved ones.
Karen
Alzheimer's Association. Offers general information about Alzheimer's disease and research that is being done. Links to other helpful resources. Describes ways the Alzheimer's Association can help Alzheimer's patients and their loved ones.
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). A helpful guide to finding services for the aging.
American Cancer Society. Cancer facts and figures, treatment decision tools, stories of hope—and more.
American Diabetes Association. Facts about diabetes. Nutrition and health guidelines. Message boards. Links to local events and information.
American Heart Association. Heart attack/stroke warning signs and other helpful information. Guides to a healthy lifestyle. Links to local information. Special section for caregivers.
American Stroke Association. Heart and stroke encyclopedia. Warning signs. Life after stroke. Links to local information.
ARCH. National respite network dedicated to finding temporary relief for caregivers and families who are caring for those with disabilities, chronic or terminal illnesses, or the elderly.
Arthritis Foundation. Conditions and treatments. Product guide. Answers to your questions about arthritis. Programs and services near you.
Assisted Living Directory. Locate assisted living facilities in your area. Free listings available.
Benefits CheckUp. A service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Guide to financial help available from private and government programs.
Caregiver.com. Comprehensive site for all caregivers. Helpful magazine and Fearless Caregiver Conferences.
Caring Connections. Hospice site with help for end-of-life planning. Advance directives, caregiving, free brochures, financial planning, Hospice, grief.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Help with Medicare and Medicaid.
Custom Elder Care. "Quality life for those in care . . . for those who care." Create a personal caregiving manual for an elder one loved at home or in a facility. Also plan for quality care in your later life. Take time to explore all the help available in this great site.
Eldercare Locator. A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Patient services and disease information. Local contacts.
Music Therapy for Memory. This program was developed by healthcare providers and professional musicians to stimulate the mind and exercise memory. It provides meaningful activities for people with memory loss.
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, Inc. Locate a professional to help you create a caregiving plan.
National Center on Elder Abuse. Resources on elder abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information. This website was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care (LTC) needs.
National Osteoporosis Foundation. About osteoporosis. Prevention. Find a doctor.
National Stroke Association. Along with useful information about what a stroke is, risk factors, prevention and recovery, this site provides a helpful section for caregivers and families of stroke victims.
Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Information about the disease. Research, patient care, helpful FAQ section.
SeniorSites.com. Non-profit housing and resources for seniors. More than 5,000 communities listed.
Social Security Online. Helpful site for questions about Social Security, retirement, Medicare, disability, and much more.
Strength for Caring. The Johnson & Johnson Caregiver Initiative is a pioneer in the emerging field of family caregiver support and StrengthForCaring.com (SFC) is the cornerstone of this important program. SFC is a comprehensive website designed to provide family caregivers with a broad range of expert content and information, an emerging on-line community, daily inspiration, and much needed support.
Tardive Dyskinesia. Helpful information about tardive dyskinesia, a condition that may develop in patients who use metoclopramide, a drug sold under brand names such as Reglan in the United States. When a patient has been taking certain prescription drugs over a long period of time, often in high dosages, involuntary, repetitive tic-like movements can result, primarily in the facial muscles or (less commonly) the limbs, fingers and toes.
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). A helpful guide to finding services for the aging.
American Cancer Society. Cancer facts and figures, treatment decision tools, stories of hope—and more.
American Diabetes Association. Facts about diabetes. Nutrition and health guidelines. Message boards. Links to local events and information.
American Heart Association. Heart attack/stroke warning signs and other helpful information. Guides to a healthy lifestyle. Links to local information. Special section for caregivers.
American Stroke Association. Heart and stroke encyclopedia. Warning signs. Life after stroke. Links to local information.
ARCH. National respite network dedicated to finding temporary relief for caregivers and families who are caring for those with disabilities, chronic or terminal illnesses, or the elderly.
Arthritis Foundation. Conditions and treatments. Product guide. Answers to your questions about arthritis. Programs and services near you.
Assisted Living Directory. Locate assisted living facilities in your area. Free listings available.
Benefits CheckUp. A service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Guide to financial help available from private and government programs.
Caregiver.com. Comprehensive site for all caregivers. Helpful magazine and Fearless Caregiver Conferences.
Caring Connections. Hospice site with help for end-of-life planning. Advance directives, caregiving, free brochures, financial planning, Hospice, grief.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Help with Medicare and Medicaid.
Custom Elder Care. "Quality life for those in care . . . for those who care." Create a personal caregiving manual for an elder one loved at home or in a facility. Also plan for quality care in your later life. Take time to explore all the help available in this great site.
Eldercare Locator. A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Patient services and disease information. Local contacts.
Music Therapy for Memory. This program was developed by healthcare providers and professional musicians to stimulate the mind and exercise memory. It provides meaningful activities for people with memory loss.
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, Inc. Locate a professional to help you create a caregiving plan.
National Center on Elder Abuse. Resources on elder abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information. This website was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care (LTC) needs.
National Osteoporosis Foundation. About osteoporosis. Prevention. Find a doctor.
National Stroke Association. Along with useful information about what a stroke is, risk factors, prevention and recovery, this site provides a helpful section for caregivers and families of stroke victims.
Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Information about the disease. Research, patient care, helpful FAQ section.
SeniorSites.com. Non-profit housing and resources for seniors. More than 5,000 communities listed.
Social Security Online. Helpful site for questions about Social Security, retirement, Medicare, disability, and much more.
Strength for Caring. The Johnson & Johnson Caregiver Initiative is a pioneer in the emerging field of family caregiver support and StrengthForCaring.com (SFC) is the cornerstone of this important program. SFC is a comprehensive website designed to provide family caregivers with a broad range of expert content and information, an emerging on-line community, daily inspiration, and much needed support.
Tardive Dyskinesia. Helpful information about tardive dyskinesia, a condition that may develop in patients who use metoclopramide, a drug sold under brand names such as Reglan in the United States. When a patient has been taking certain prescription drugs over a long period of time, often in high dosages, involuntary, repetitive tic-like movements can result, primarily in the facial muscles or (less commonly) the limbs, fingers and toes.