Resources for Caregivers

The following is a list of programs and services designed to assist caregivers for seniors, including resources for family members and friends.

Aging with Dignity
www.agingwithdignity.org
(888) 5-WISHES (594-7437)
Publishes the Five Wishes Living Will document, a very user-friendly and comprehensive document that meets legal requirements in 35 states.

Ask Medicare
www.medicare.gov/caregivers
A new initiative to help caregivers of people with Medicare access and use valuable health care information, services, and resources.

Children of Aging Parents (CAPS)
www.caps4caregivers.org
(800) 227-7294
Assists caregivers of the elderly with information and referrals, a network of support groups, and publications and programs that promote public awareness of the value and the needs of family caregivers.

eCareDiary
www.ecarediary.com
A free website that offers comprehensive information, tools, and resources to help caregivers seeking and providing long term care to a loved one.

Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)
www.caregiver.org
(800) 445-8106
info@caregiver.org
The lead agency in California's system of Caregiver Resource Centers. FCA provides support and help to family caregivers and champions their cause through education, services, research, and advocacy. Services are specific to California, although information can be accessed nationally.

Family Friends
National Council on the Aging, Inc.
www.family-friends.org
(202) 479-6672
Provides respite (and other services) by matching volunteers over the age of 50 with families of children who have disabilities or chronic illnesses. Programs are located throughout the country.

Friends' Health Connection
www.48friend.org
(800) 483-7436
Connects family members, friends, and caregivers of people with health problems through their Family Network.

HospiceDirectory.org
www.hospicedirectory.org
(800) 868-5171
Online consumer database that lists hospices in North America and the U.S. All hospices are listed at no cost. It is a free service that assists families and individuals in locating a hospice within their community quickly. The site also provides reliable information about hospice and end-of-life care to consumers.

MyAgingFolks
www.myagingfolks.com
(866) 272–6557
www.MyAgingFolks.com supports family caregivers to elderly parents by connecting caregivers to senior care experts. MyAgingFolks is a trusted source for senior care solutions with our network of thousands of eldercare professionals and lawyers around the country, a free Q & A service to those experts, and a proprietary phone consultation service between caregivers and eldercare professionals.

National Alliance for Caregiving
www.caregiving.org

The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
www.caremanager.orgr
(520) 881-8008
Geriatric Care Managers (GCMs) are health care professionals, most often social workers, who help families in dealing with the problems and challenges associated with caring for the elderly. This national organization refers family caregivers to their state chapters, which in turn can provide the names of local GCMs. This information is also available online.

National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)
www.thefamilycaregiver.org
(800) 896-3650
info@thefamilycaregiver.org
NFCA has developed an educational workshop to teach family caregivers to communicate more effectively with healthcare professionals. Check out the NFCA website to find out if there are workshops scheduled in your community.

National Respite Coalition (NRC)
www.archrespite.org
(703) 256-9578
Provides a list of states that have respite coalitions. These state coalitions then list respite services available in their state. The majority of the information is focused on helping families of children with special needs, but lately there has been an effort to enlarge their referral base to include lifespan respite information. The NRC is working to gain passage of national lifespan respite legislation.

seniorDECISION
www.seniordecision.com
(877) 222-1845
info@seniordecision.com
The first and only website featuring independent consumer reviews of nursing homes, home health care agencies, assisted living, and retirement communities. The site contains one of the web's largest free senior care provider databases, including more than 65,000 listings nationwide.

Well Spouse Association
www.wellspouse.org
(800) 838-0879
info@wellspouse.org
A national membership organization that gives support to husbands, wives, and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled. Well Spouse has a network of support groups and a newsletter for spouses.