While many of the links in NotelyJoan’s article, are included at the site, we are including them once again as they are an integral part of creating a support system
It seems to me we are all in need of more support. Being caregivers we tend to forget our own needs until we are so overwhelmed that we cannot think of “HOW TO” do this or that or the other thing, that is why we had this topic so I will post it for you.
Family Support–1st on Agenda,
Community–2nd area to look,
3rd area is Online with many links.
FAMILY SUPPORT
We will start with Family Support First, as that is the support that will stay with you or, I mean, should stay with you. Make a list of everybody you can think of. At this point you are just interested in names, nothing else. Brothers, Sisters, Mother, Father, Children, Close Relatives–cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Close Friends, close neighbors, friends that worked with you or loved one.
Call each one of them to find out who can help you out for just 2 hours, 1 day per week or once a month. Ask what day and time they are available. Write it down to make a weekly list for yourself. Also, take into consideration their age and health. If they are elderly, themselves, they can just visit and that will free you up to take some time for yourself or to run an errand.
If they are younger–I’d say 60 yrs. of age or less, and they are healthy, you can also assign then a job. Ex: visit for 1 hour…do house work 1 hour like laundry, mop floors, dishes, polish furniture, change the bed while your loved one is sitting in a chair, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask them to help around the house. You will be surprised on how much they want to help but do not know how to approach you. This is new to them too and as a friend of mine said, ” I’d like to be able to help my sister with her husband but I don’t know how or what to do.” You see, they have the same feelings toward you as you have toward your loved one so give them a chance to help.
Maybe a man would be able to help with the outside chores like raking the leaves, trimming the hedges, etc. These are your helpers, do not feel guilty that you need help…..they may just be the ones that need to be needed so it will help both ways. Also some elderly people in your neighborhood would love to spend time for it gives them company.
COMMUNITY
The best place to start is in the yellow pages of your phone book.
1) Look up nurses: There are many nursing agencies that provide home health care and usually the evaluation is free. If you hire a private duty health care aid please make sure they have had some type of formal training and have references.
2) Social & Human Services: There is a wealth of information under this category and if you call one of them and explain your needs they can refer you to other agencies.
3) Nurses & Convalescent Homes: For those who need to start checking out Nursing Homes
.
4) Churches: Many churches offer services such as shopping, transportation, visitations. etc.
5) Call Dept. of Elderly Affairs–State or Local for services for the elderly. They will send a worker to evaluate and set up a program of services centered around the caregivers’ and elders’ needs.
6) If you are not satisfied with the care of a loved one in a nursing home…especially if you think there is abuse going on…call The Ombudsman Program at Senior Citizens Hot Line 1-800-342-9871
If you cannot find what you want call City/Town hall. Someone should be able to direct you and give you phone numbers.
All your Senators usually have a person in their office whose only duty is to direct people to needed services.
ONLINE LINKS
Here are some Links to help you with your search online along with a little discription to help you on this new adventure you are undertaking. According to my dear friend’s newsletter survey, many of you have never traveled on the web. Well, neither have I until I started searching for articles and information to help you.
Aging Sites by States in the U.S. – Directory of Web Sites on Aging
http://www.aoa.djjs.gov/aoa/webres/states.htm
This is an index of aging information State by State
Administration on Aging – Information on Older Persons and Services for the Elderly
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/
AOA supports a nationwide, toll-free information and assistance directory called the Eldercare Locator, which can locate the appropriate AAA to help an individual needing assistance. Older persons and caregivers can contact the Eldercare Locator by calling toll-free, 1-800-677-1116, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. Callers to the Eldercare Locator will speak to a friendly, caring person who will help them. When contacting the Locator, callers should have readily available the address, zip code and county of residence for the person needing assistance.For more information about the Administration on Aging, please contact:
Administration on Aging
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, D.C. 20201
Resources for Caregivers of Older Persons
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/caregivers/default.htm
INTERNET AND E-MAIL RESOURCES ON AGING
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/psts/gr-caregiving.html
Metasites- E-Mail Discussion Groups-Online Publicatiions-Other Resources ( Many interesting sites for information for caregivers, Newsletters, caregiver’s Guides etc.)
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/ltcombudsman/program.htm
If you expect any type of abuse in the nursing home where you have a loved one please get in touch with the address above, as they are advocates to the elderly and to caregivers.
ElderWeb Online Eldercare Sourcebook
http://www.elderweb.com/index.html
http://www.elderweb.com/health.htm
ElderWeb: Body & Soul
http://www.elderweb.com/care2care.htm
this site is a site —- caregiver to caregiver (interesting)
Death and Dying Grief Support
http://www.death-dying.com/
departments here: Chat, Message Boards, Grief support, After Loss, Planners, Articles, newsletters, Kids Only, Teens Only, Health News, Angels Online and much more.
The Caregiver’s Handbook (San Diego County Mental Health Services)–formatted for the WWW by Robert S. Stall, M.D.
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~drstall/hndbk0.html
SeniorLaw Home Page
http://www.seniorlaw.com/index.htm
New York State Office for the Aging – Resource Links Many links here, not only for New York.
http://aging.state.ny.us/links/index.htm
Empowering Caregivers
=https://www.care-givers.com/=
This site has many many links for caregivers…there is also a chat room which is opened per schedule. This web site is set up with caregivers in mind….its founder was a caregiver who found it very difficult to find resources so she has an on-going updated site with a Newsletter you can subscribe too, message boards, Journal Exercises, Elderly, Healing Circle, Resources, and much more. The best web site I have found for the caregiver to receive strength, relaxation and peace.
Caregiver Network
http://www.caregiver.on.ca/
This site is based in Canada, yet, it has terrific information for all caregivers. very worthwhile investigating this site.
Visiting in the Adult or Nursing Home
http://wwwlalz-nova.org/visithom.htm
Caregiver-information.com
http://members.tripod.com/gobrowns/Health/health.htm
Information for Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, aphasia, brain injury A wealth on information for you.
Caregiving
http://www.caregiving.com
Offers access to support, information, and resources for caring for and aged relative.
Dementia & Alzheimer’s .. A Guide For The Caregiver
http://www.angelfire.com/ny2/dementia1/index.html
A guide and resource for caregivers of dementia patients by someone who’s been through it.
Depression Caregiver Support
http://members.tripod.com/garyicare
To provide advice and support to loved ones who care for a depressed person. With links and a message board.
NFCA: National Family Caregivers Association. Caregiving Resources.
http://www.nfcacares.org
Dedicated to making life better for America’s family caregivers. Includes information on NFC Month, caregiving resources, and services for caregivers.
The Caregiver’s Handbook (San Diego County Mental Health Services)–formatted for the WWW by Robert S. Stall, M.D.
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~drstall/hndbk0.html
An online guide assisting both the caregiver and the elderly care receiver.
Caregiver Support Page-Welcome
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/2503
Support and information for family caregivers.
Caregiver Network
http://caregiver.on.ca
This resource centre was created to help caregivers deal with the stress of being in the position of having to deal with the elderly and ill.
Senior Directions-Home
http://www.senior-directions.com
An interactive newsletter and bookstore for seniors and their care givers.
Caregiver Survival Resources: Home
http://www.caregiver911.com
Helping caregivers cope with the demands of caregiving, whether it’s caring for an aging parent, a disabled loved one, or a patient coping with a difficult disease.
Extended care provider, Elder Care information.
http://www.elderconnect.com/
News, advice, and information about extended care providers. Features searchable index of facilities and home care agencies.
Alzheimer’s Outreach, Where Information & Education Go Hand In Hand With Caregiving
http://www.zarcrom.com/users/alzheimers
Information for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers. Includes message board, poetry and numerous places to relax.
Senior Citizens – ElderSearch – Geriatric Care, Hospitals, Assisted Living, Hospice, Counseling, Alzheimer Resources, Elder
http://www.eldersearch.com/welcome.html
Comprehensive means of locating senior services on the internet. Offers a variety of topics inluding assisted living, skilled nursing facilities and elder law attorneys. Also has scheduled chat sessions for both seniors and caregivers.
Depression caregiver community – Web of Care
http://www.webofcare.com/depression.html
Virtual community for home caregivers featuring hundreds of articles, animated caregiving skills demonstrations, and a free “Ask an Expert” service. Connect with other depression caregivers through chat rooms, bulletin boards, free e-mail and free home pages!
Spinal cord injury: Chat room
http://www.spinalinjury.net/html/_chat_room.html
A place for people with a spinal cord injury , their families, friends, and caregivers to meet other people in their situation looking for answers and support.
National Compassionate Hospice Foundation
http://www.nchf.org
Our mission is to provide the resources which will enhance the dignity of life for the terminally ill, their families and caregivers.
Welcome to Mystic Valley Elder Services – Massachusetts
http://www.mves.org
A private, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing assistance and access to a comprehensive range of services that address age-related needs. Over 10,000 individuals in the Massachusetts communities of Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, and Wakefield are assisted each year. Our staff of over 100 works closely with older adults, families, caregivers, and other professionals to achieve our mission of promoting independence through quality home care.
AARP Webplace | Home Page
http://www.aarp.org
The Site for Life After 50!
Senior Citizen Resource Guide – Directory of Important Numbers
http://aging.state.ny.us/findhelp/guide/guide15.htm
For help in finding assistance, including information and referral to appropriate agencies, contact your local office for the aging or call the Senior Citizens’ Hot Line at 1-800-342-9871.
New York State Office for the Aging – Find Help – Local Offices for the Aging
http://aging.state.ny.us/findhelp/lofa.htm
“There are 59 local Offices which serve each county, the City of New York as well as the St. Regis Mohawk Indian Reservation and the Seneca Nation of Indians.”
Senior Citizen Resource Guide – Health Care
http://aging.state.ny.us/findhelp/guide/guide1.htm
As people grow older, they often require additional medical care. High medical and drug costs burden people on limited and fixed incomes. The following programs can help offset some health care costs and help you maintain physical and mental health
New York State Office for the Aging – Families & Caregivers
http://aging.state.ny.us/caring/index.htm
Hundreds of thousands of grandparents and other relatives in New York State care for minor children who are without their own parents.
New York State Office for the Aging – Resource Links
http://aging.state.ny.us/links/index.htm
New York State Office for the Aging – Resource Links – Aging Services In Other States
http://aging.state.ny.us/links/links03.htm>
Each state in the nation has a state agency on aging and local offices for the aging (known as Area Agencies on Aging) providing services to older Americans under the Older Americans Act. If you live or need help for an elder relative in another state, see these links to find an office for the aging to help, or contact the Eldercare Locator or
The Federal Administration on Aging.
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/webres/craig.htm
Directory of WEB Sites on Aging – Administration on Aging
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/webres/direct.htm
Directory of Aging Directories – URL Aging Sites Directory
Family careging guides and directories – Directory of Web Sites on Aging
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/webres/family-G.htm
Aging Directories Hosted by Non-Profit Organizations
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/webres/Direct-N.htm
Aging Directories of Internet Sites Hosted by Older Adults & Volunteers43.)http://seniors-site.com/
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/webres/Direct-V.htm
Seniors-Site.com — for adults 50+ (senior citizens) their children & caregivers
Internet Information Note: Senior Centers – National Aging Information Center
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/seniorcenters.html
NISC Links to Other Useful Sites
http://www.ncoa.org/nisc/nisc_links.htm
Browse the NADSA Directory
http://www.ncoa.org/nadsa/directory/browse.htm
This Directory is State by State and has all the Adult Day Care sites in each State with other information.
Copyrighted Jan 11, 2000 by Lydia Joan Croteau
please email NotelyJoan@aol.com for permission to use
