According to the National Family Caregivers Association, more than 50 million Americans provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year, and that number is growing. Caregivers often do so much more than provide care.
They are companions, friends and, often times, become family, to those in their care.
Caregivers commonly report that it’s most difficult to make time for themselves, manage emotional and physical stress, and balance work and family responsibilities. Many are at risk of becoming patients themselves, primarily due to these unmet needs.
It is important for caregivers to realize that being exhausted, stressed or “burned out” will diminish the quality of care they can provide.
Here we catalog 7 resources which will empower caregivers - with information, knowledge of available programs and tools necessary to make good decisions for their loved ones and themselves.
These resources cover issues like
Home safety Driving Dealing with the diagnosis Financial planning for seniors Choosing a nursing home Services provided by community centers Resources provided by Govt/State/Local programs Self education on diseases Communicating with seniors Recognizing behavioral changes End of life options Home care services – both medical and non- medical as provided by BrightStar Care
Family Caregiver Alliance
Founded in 1977, Family Caregiver Alliance was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. Long recognized as a pioneer in health services, FCA now offers programs at national, state and local levels to support and sustain caregivers.
1.
The National Alliance for Caregiving
Established in 1996, The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) is a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on issues of family caregiving. Alliance members include grassroots organizations, professional associations, service organizations, disease-specific organizations, a government agency, and corporations.
Recognizing that family caregivers provide important societal and financial contributions toward maintaining the well-being of those they care for, the Alliance's mission is to be the objective national resource on family caregiving with the goal of improving the quality of life for families and care recipients.
2.
Family Caregiving 101
A joint effort by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) to recognize, support and advise family caregivers.
Their outreach program is called “Family Caregiving: It’s not all up to you.” This effort is national in scope, and includes radio announcements and magazine and newspaper advertisements that connect family caregivers to information and services that can help improve their lives and the level of care they can offer their loved ones.
3.
The National Family Caregivers Association
The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships and life stages to help transform family caregivers' lives by removing barriers to health and well being.
4.
AARP Caregiving Resource Center
AARP Caregiving Resource Center includes information about getting started, providing care, housing options, legal issues, financial information, end of life care, and more.
5.
MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is a goldmine of good health information from the world's largest medical library, the National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus is a partnership of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. At this caregivers landing page, visitors find a lengthy list of links (in various categories) on all aspects of caregiving.
6.
National Institute on Aging's ADEAR (Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center) Center
The National Institute on Aging's ADEAR (Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center) Center offers information and publications for families, caregivers, and professionals on diagnosis, treatment, patient care, caregiver needs, long-term care, education and training, and research related to Alzheimer's disease.
7.
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