Resources

Information to assist caregivers and the elderly can be found at these sites.

2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures – http://www.alz.org/national/documents/report_alzfactsfigures2008.pdf

AARP: This organization supplies information about caregiving, long-term care and aging, including publications and audiovisual aids for caregivers. The free online seminar Planning for the Care of Aging Parents is just one example of the educational resources provided.  www.aarp.org (800) 424-2277

Alzheimer’s Association: Referral and support for families and caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients.  http://www.alz.org (800) 272-3900

Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center:  Government web site funded by the National Institute on Aging that addresses Alzheimer’s issues, news and updates.  www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers

Benefits Check-Up: This Web site, operated by the National Council on the Aging, identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans in each community.  www.benefitscheckup.org

Caregivers Marketplace: A free service for family caregivers that offers savings and education on a wide range of goods and services for anyone who “gives, gets or needs care.”  www.caregiversmarketplace.com (866) 327-8340

Caregiving Online: The site pulls together other sites that offer information on maintaining caregiver health www.caregiving.com

Caregiver’s Resource Helpline: Automated response helpline prompts caller for category of help needed.  (888) 791-7301

Caregiver Survival Resources: The site aims to help others cope with the demands of caregiving.  www.caregiver911.com

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: The official U.S. government site for people on Medicare.  www.medicare.gov

Children of Aging Parents: A nonprofit, charitable organization whose mission is to assist the nation’s nearly 54 million caregivers of the elderly or chronically ill with reliable information, referrals and support, and to heighten public awareness that the health of family caregivers is essential to ensure quality care of the nation’s growing elderly population.   www.caps4caregivers.org (215) 945-6900 or (800) 227-7294

ElderCare Online: An online community that provides information and support for those caring for aging loved ones, especially those coping with dementia and Alzheimer’s.  www.ec-online.net

Eldercare Locator: A national directory of community services for the elderly and caregivers.  www.eldercare.gov (800) 677-1116

Family Caregiver Alliance: Tracks action on key legislative issues of concern to family caregivers and offers advice on how to get involved in advocacy efforts.
www.caregiver.org (415) 434-3388

Family Caregivers Online Newsletter: Online educational resource with practical information for family caregivers.  www.familycaregiversonline.net

Family Caregiving 101:  Resource for caregivers and their loved one that offers answers and advice.  www.familycaregiving101.org

First Gov for Seniors: A Web site maintained by the Social Security Administration to provide an up-to-date overview of health, wellness and financial issues of interest to older persons and their families. www.seniors.gov

Healthy Caregiver: A magazine and online community dedicated to the issues and interests of contemporary adults caring for aging parents.  www.healthycaregiver.com

Hospice Net: Organization provides information and support to patients and families facing life-threatening illnesses. Hospice Net is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization working exclusively through the Internet.  www.hospicenet.org

Medicaid:  Government program for low income people/families that pays for medical assistance.  www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp

Medicare:  Federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and for people with disabilities.  www.medicare.gov

National Alliance for Caregiving: The NAC is dedicated to providing support to family caregivers of older persons and the professionals who help them and to increase public awareness of issues facing family caregiving.  www.caregiving.org

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers: Care managers are professionals who coordinate caregiving services. They can be helpful when family members are not able to play an active role.  www.caremanager.org (520) 881-8008

National Family Caregivers Association: NFCA is dedicated to making life better for all of America’s family caregivers. Family caregivers focus on their loved ones’ needs; NFCA focuses on family caregivers.  www.nfcacares.org

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: The largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. The organization is committed to improving end-of-life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for the dying and their loved ones.  www.nhpco.org (800) 658-8898

National Institute on Aging Information Center:  Government site that offers information on aging issues.  www.nia.nih.gov

The Simon Foundation for Continence:  Provides support for people who struggle with incontinence and those who manage their care.  www.simonfoundation.org

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys:  Focuses on the needs of older people.  This site has  listings of elder law attorneys in your area.  www.naela.com

Today’s Caregiver magazine: A print and Web magazine dedicated to those caring for loved ones, written for caregivers by caregivers and dealing with topics like stress and depression management, financial, legal and medical advice, housing and incontinence.   www.caregiver.com

U.S. Administration on Aging: The federal agency that develops programs and information resources for the elderly and their families.  www.aoa.gov