Whether you’re just become a caregiver, or you’ve been caring for a loved one for some time now, you might find yourself feeling completely overwhelmed!  Clear, concise information will help answer the variety of questions you may have and help prepare you for an enriching journey.  Remember it’s impossible to know what you don’t know so even thinking up questions to ask may at first seem challenging!

Dr. Amy believes:

“Unlike parents, who have nine months to prepare for their new roles,
many caregivers don’t even get nine minutes”

 

In this section, you will find helpful information about aging services and common issues faced by caregivers and their family members. 

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Aging-related Services:
definitions and links to more detailed information

 The information listed below was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  www.eldercare.gov 

• Adult Day Care:  Adult Day Care Centers offer social, recreational and health-related services to individuals in a protective setting who cannot be left alone during the day because of health care and social need, confusion or disability.
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• Assisted Living:  Assisted living facilities offer a housing alternatives for older adults who may need help with dressing, bathing, eating, and toileting, but do not require the intensive medical and nursing care provided in nursing homes.
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• Assistive Technology:  Assistive technology is any service or tool that helps the elderly or disabled do the activities they have always done but must now do differently. These tools are also sometimes called “adaptive devices.” 
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• Caregiver Programs: The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides programs and services for caregivers of older adults and some limited services to grandparents raising grandchildren.
   
• Case Management: Case managers work with family members and older adults to assess, arrange and evaluate supportive efforts of seniors and their families to remain independent.
   
• Emergency Response Systems In-home 24-hour electronic alarm systems that enable homebound persons to summon emergency help.
   
• Elder Abuse Prevention Programs: Allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of senior citizens are investigated by highly trained protective service specialists. Intervention is provided in instances of substantiated elder abuse, neglect or exploitation.
   
• Financial Assistance: Benefit counseling programs can be accessed through the (I&R/A) specialist at your local area agency on aging that will provide older adults with financial assistance.
   
• Government Assisted Housing  Government housing assistance is available to low-income elderly through several programs in the form of affordable housing or rental assistance.
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• Home Health Care:  Home health care helps seniors live independently for as long as possible, given the limits of their medical condition. It covers a wide range of services and can often delay the need for long-term nursing home care.
   
• Home Health Services: Home health care includes such care activities as changing wound dressings, checking vital signs, cleaning catheters and providing tube feedings. 
   
• Home Modifications:  Programs that provide adaptations and/or renovations to the living environment intended to increase ease of use, safety, security and independence. There are some local, state, Federal and volunteer programs that provide special grants, loans and other assistance for people with physical limitations so that they can continue to live independently and safely.
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• Home Repair: Programs that help older people keep the condition of their housing in good repair before problems become major. Volunteers might come to an individual's home and patch a leaky roof, for instance, repair faulty plumbing or insulate drafty walls. 
   
• Hospice Care:  Hospice programs are available to help terminally ill individuals live their remaining days with dignity. These programs can assist the family (or other designated caregiver) in making the patient as comfortable as possible, and assistance is available around the clock, seven days a week. 
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• Information and Referral/Assistance Information Services (I&R/A): Information Specialists are available to provide assistance and linkage to available services and resources. 
   
• Legal Assistance: Legal advice and representation is available to persons aged 60 and over for certain types of legal matters including government program benefits, tenant rights, and consumer problems.
   
• Nutrition Services: Home Delivered Meals popularly known as "Meals on Wheels," are nutritious meals delivered to the homes of older persons who are homebound. Congregate Meals provide the opportunity for persons aged 60 and over to enjoy a meal and socialize with other seniors in the community.
   
• Personal Care: Services to assist individuals with functional impairments with bathing, dressing, shopping, walking, housekeeping, supervision, emotional security, eating and assistance with securing health care from appropriate sources.
   
• Respite Care:  Respite is relief or rest, for a specified period of time, from the constant/continued supervision, companionship, therapeutic and/or personal care of a person with a functional impairment. 
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• Senior Center Programs: Senior Centers offer a variety of recreational and educational programs, seminars, events and activities for the active and less active older adult. 
   
• Senior Housing Options: The decision to seek care outside an individual’s home is a difficult one. If you are considering such a move for yourself or a family member, please contact your local area agency on aging I&R/A specialist to determine the full range of support options available to you.
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• Telephone Reassurance: Provides regular contact and safety check by trained volunteers to reassure and support senior citizens and disabled persons who are homebound.
   
• Transportation: Programs that provide door-to-door transportation for people who may be elderly or disabled, who do not have private transportation and who are unable to utilize public transportation to meet their needs.
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• Volunteer Services: There are numerous volunteer programs and opportunities available for older adults such as daily telephone reassurance, friendly visiting and insurance counseling.

Other topics: 

• Face The Facts :Topics to discuss now with your aging parents.
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• Housing Options for Older Adults:  A Guide for Making Housing Decision:.  This booklet provides an overview of the types of housing available to older adults, and highlights some personal and legal issues to consider in making housing decisions.
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• Medicines and You: A Guide for Older Adults:  As you age. it is important to know about your medicines to avoid possible problems. This brochure provides tips on taking medicines safely.  
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• Pick Up The Pace: This consumer guide is designed to educate boomers about financial and retirement planning choices and to help them secure their financial outlook for the future. 
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• Prescription Drug Options for Older Adults: Managing Your Medicines: This brochure describes helpful ways of managing medicines and getting the best value for your medicines. The brochure lists key questions to ask health care professionals and suggests options to help pay for medicines, and suggests ways of overcoming medicine hurdles.  
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• Preventing Falls at Home: This brochure describes safety checks older adults can do in and around the house to reduce their risk of falling and help enhance their independent living. 
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• Seniors and HIV:  Many people mistakenly assume that older Americans are not sexually active and therefore not at risk for HIV infection. However a 2007 national survey of Americans ages 57 to 85 found that the majority of older Americans are sexually active. Older Americans do not always realize that they may be at risk for HIV infection. 
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• Staying "IN TOUCH" in Crisis Situations:  This brochure outlines how families can stay in touch with older loved ones and be prepared when a crisis situation occurs. It includes a tear-off sheet for personal planning.  
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• Talking About Driving with an Older Driver: (From NHTSA)   Many family members or caregivers wonder what they should do if they think a loved one’s driving skills have diminished.  This brochure helps family members to assess their loved one’s driving abilities.  
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• Ten Warning Signs:  Watch for signs that your older family member may need help.  
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• Transportation Options for Older Adults: Choices for Mobility Independence:  This brochure describes various types of transportation services for older adults and lists key questions to ask transportation provider to determine the best option to meet individual needs. 
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• Winter Warmth and Safety: Home Energy Tips for Older Adults: This brochure offers some economical ways to stay warm and safe at home. 
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What’s next? 

For services in your community and to look for helpful products, click here.

Need support with emotional and family issues? click here.

For legal and financial assistance, click here.

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This website will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.