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Resources
Family and Caregiver Resources
Being a caregiver can be both challenging and rewarding. Here are some resources that may assist you in this special role.
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They offer elders, families, caregivers, and professionals' information and resources on a variety of aging-related topics. The information will help you become more familiar with issues affecting older adults, and the services and opportunities available to assist them.
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American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
They are dedicated to enhancing quality of life for people age 50 and over by leading positive social change and delivering value to people through current information, advocacy and service.
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They help find and understand your options for a senior living community or in-home care.
Family Caregivers Online is an educational and informational resource for anyone who helps an older spouse, parent, relative, friend, or neighbor; provides online education, FAQs, phone numbers, newsletter articles, and a site for employers and human resource professionals.
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A simple, immediate way for friends, family, colleagues and neighbors to assist loved ones in need with an easy-to-use, private group online calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers, where everyone can pitch in with meals delivery, rides, and other necessary tasks. There is no cost to your family to use this system.
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National Center on Caregiving: Family Caregiver Alliance
They are a public voice for caregivers offering assistance and support through education services and research and valuable resources and publicly-funded caregiver support programs at national, state and local levels.
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National Family Caregivers Association
They support empower, educate, and speak up for over 50 million Americans who care for a chronically ill, aged, or disabled loved one, offers educational materials, tips and guides, for improving the overall quality of life of caregiving families and minimizing the disparities between family caregivers and non-caregivers.
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A web site for caregivers managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that provides information about Medicare and other topics important for caregivers to help them with caring for loved ones.
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They provide clear, comprehensive palliative care information for people coping with serious, complex illness. Access the Palliative Care Provider Directory of Hospitals. Learn about palliative care and determine whether palliative care might be appropriate for you or a loved one. The site is provided by the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC).
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National Family Caregiver Support Program
https://www.acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/national-family-caregiver-support-program
The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), established in 2000, provides grants to States and Territories, based on their share of the population aged 70 and over, to fund a range of supports that assist family and informal caregivers to care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible.
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Eldercare Locator
www.eldercare.acl.gov
Are you a family caregiver in need of information or assistance? Are you interested in learning more about the programs and services that may be of assistance to you or your loved one? The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, is the first step to finding resources for older adults in any U.S. community. Just one phone call or Website visit provides an instant connection to resources that enable older persons to live independently in their communities. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.
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Family Caregiver Alliance
http://caregiver.org/
Established in 2001 as a program of Family Caregiver Alliance, the National Center on Caregiving (NCC) works to advance the development of high-quality, cost-effective policies and programs for caregivers in every state in the country. Uniting research, public policy and services, the NCC serves as a central source of information on caregiving and long-term care issues for policy makers, service providers, media, funders and family caregivers throughout the country.
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Caregiver Action Network
http://www.caregiveraction.org/
Resources from the Caregiver Action Network, including a Peer Forum, a Story Sharing platform, the Family Caregiver Tool Box and more. CAN also provides support for rare disease caregivers at http://www.rarecaregivers.org
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Women’s Health
Tips for Caregivers
FDA Office of Women’s Health understands caring for someone can be rewarding, but challenging. FDA’s Tips for Caregivers website provides tools to help caregivers manage the care of their loved ones. The website provides tips for caregivers of older adults, young children, teens and people with special needs. The website also highlights 7 tips for all caregivers to know. FDA Office of Women’s Health also provides information on women and clinical trials. To learn more, visit: fda.gov/womeninclinicaltrials
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Next Step in Care
http://www.nextstepincare.org
Next Step in Care provides easy-to-use guides to help family caregivers and health care providers work closely together to plan and implement safe and smooth transitions for chronically or seriously ill patients.
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Financial Steps for Caregivers
WISER (Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement)
Financial Steps for Caregivers: What You Need to Know About Money and Retirement is designed to help you identify financial decisions you may face as a caregiver. The decision to become a caregiver can affect both your short-term and long-term financial security, including your own retirement. For more information on planning for a secure retirement, please visit http://www.wiserwomen.org.
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Become a Paid Caregiver for a Family Member in Illinois
When a parent or loved one begins to get older, common questions arise, “can a family member be a paid caregiver for that loved one?”. The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Becoming a homecare aide for a loved one requires time, dedication, and patience.
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If you have that time, dedication, and patience, being a caregiver for your family member can be a rewarding experience. Many seniors feel more comfortable with close family members when it comes to their care. Family members may just know their loved one in ways that an outside caregiver may not. All of our caregivers at Homecare Powered by AUAF are trained to meet the needs of your loved one. But, becoming the caregiver for your family member may be the best option for them.