The more you know
the better you can help
More information for family caregivers
COVID-19 resources for family caregivers
-
AARP — Download an overview called Preparedness for Caregivers during COVID19.
-
University of Michigan — See a selection of COVID-19 resources for patients and families.
Getting started with taking care of a family member or friend
-
AARP — See the five steps to take as you begin caring for a family member. Download the family caregiver guide that’s full of helpful checklists and definitions. Available in multiple languages.
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/prepare-to-care-planning-guide/ -
Atlas of Care — Learn how to make a simple diagram showing the overall picture of where you give or get help, support, and advice as you care for a family member or friend.
https://atlasofcaregiving.com/caremap/ -
CaregiverStress.com — Find worksheets that help you manage the many aspects of caregiving. If your loved one has dementia, give the Dementia-Related Behaviors Chart to his or her doctor. http://www.caregiverstress.com/senior-safety/health-information- management/senior-emergency-kit/worksheets-checklists/
General family caregiving information
-
AARP — Get helpful information on a wide variety of topics, including medical, financial, and legal aspects of family caregiving.
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/ -
Family Caregiver Alliance — Click on your state to find local resources for family caregivers.
https://www.caregiver.org/
Certified Family Care Manager training
-
The Caregiving Years Training Academy — Learn skills, techniques, and strategies to help you care for a family member and formalize your role as a family caregiver.
https://www.careyearsacademy.com/cfcm/pilot/
Getting paid to care for a family member
-
AARP — There are limited options for getting paid to provide care for a family member, including Medicaid and veterans support. But new options are emerging, so research what's available in your state.
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2017/you-can-get-paid-as-a-family-caregiver.html
Managing medications and caring for wounds
-
AARP — Find time-saving tips on managing multiple medications.
-
AARP — See videos for family caregivers on caring for wounds, treating pressure ulcers, maintaining ostomy bags, and more.
https://www.aarp.org/ppi/initiatives/home-alone-alliance/
Learning about health conditions
-
U.S. Office on Women’s Health (part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) — Find information on dozens of health topics. Most of the information is not just for women.
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/ -
The Office of Minority Health (part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) — See information on health issues common to African Americans, Asian Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Latinas, Native Hawaiians, other Pacific Islanders, and more. Language assistance is available for many languages.
https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/content.aspx-?ID=146&lvl=1&lvlID=3
Information on managing the hospital stay
-
Caregiving Pathways — If a family member is in the hospital or you anticipate a medical crisis, download a free family caregiver guide to managing the hospital stay.
https://www.caregivingpathways.com/the-hospital-stay
Information on aging
-
Eldercare Locator — Enter your zip code or a topic to find assistance in your community for older adults and family caregivers.
https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx -
National Institute on Aging — Learn how a geriatric care manager can help with an older family member.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-geriatric-care-manager
Safety at home
-
Life Alert — Use this medical alert system to summon help for anyone having a home health emergency.
http://www.lifealert.com/ -
PillMap — Use this companion to your traditional weekly pill organizer as a visual guide to make sure medications are correct.
https://pillmap.com/
Online tools that help coordinate information and tasks
-
Caring Bridge — This site acts as a central coordination hub for you and your family and friends.
https://www.caringbridge.org/ -
Doodle — Scheduling family meetings is so easy with this site.
https://doodle.com/ -
Lotsa Helping Hands — Set up a Help Calendar and send the link to people who ask how they can help. You can list things like providing a family meal, giving a ride to a doctor appointment, or scheduling a visiting time.
https://lotsahelpinghands.com/ -
eCare21 — Long-distance caregivers can use this app and a wearable smart device to monitor a loved one’s heart rate, glucose levels, and other health data.
https://ecare21.com/ -
Medisafe — Use this app to monitor medications, see side effects to look out for, and more. Doctors can use the app to connect with patients.
https://medisafe.com/
Managing Medicare
-
Medicare.gov — Learn how Medicare works.
https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare- covers/your-medicare-coverage-choices/whats-medicare
Medicaid Waivers
-
Medicaidwaiver.org — Learn how Medicaid can help people receive long-term care at home or in the community rather than in a nursing home or hospital.
Managing hospice
-
Medicare.gov — Learn how hospice care works.
https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/what-part-a-covers/how-hospice-works
Native American drug rehab support
-
Addiction treatment centers — Find the center closest to your location.
https://drugrehabus.org/rehabs/treatment/native-american/
Veterans information
-
Federal Benefits — Learn about government benefits for veterans.
https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/2017_Federal_Benefits_for_Veterans.pdf -
Military Caregiver Support — Find resources for military caregivers.
https://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil/Portals/23/documents/083016_CaregiverSupportResources2016.pdf?ver=2016-08-30-163523-473 -
Respite — Get information on respite relief for military and veteran caregivers.
https://hiddenheroes.org/respite/
End-of-life information
-
The Conversation Project — See the Conversation Starter Kit and other tools to help your family begin difficult conversations about the end of life.
https://theconversationproject.org/ -
International End of Life Doula Association — If you’d like help with an end-of-life vigil, use the registry on this site to locate an end-of-life doula.
https://www.inelda.org/find-doula/ -
Caregiving Pathways — Before a care plan becomes an end-of-life plan, download a free family caregiver guide to managing the end of life. https://www.caregivingpathways.com/end-of-life-planning
Additional resources
-
Northern Westchester Hospital — This Northwell Health hospital has a family caregiver center that inspired the creation of many other centers. This site features a diverse list of resources that include a number of blogs for family caregivers.
http://nwhc.net/online-resources-for-family-caregivers -
Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving — Discover an extensive list of even more resources.
http://www.rosalynncarter.org/caregiver_resources/ -
Parentgiving — See simple steps to increase safety at home, in the car, and beyond.
https://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/50-safety-tips-for-seniors/
After caregiving ends
-
The Caregiving Years Training Academy — Learn how to start a business helping other family caregivers.
https://www.careyearsacademy.com/transform/