Caregiver Assistance and Websites

Caregiver assistance is a topic often overlooked when discharging stroke patients home with their family. Caregivers may be given a quick tutorial on how to transfer patients, meds, and the need to adapt the home environment, but often they are left feeling abandoned and unsure once they return home with their loved one who has had a stroke.

It is important as a caregiver to know what local resources are available to you. Some important things to look into are transportation services, home health services, senior center services and recreation, brain injury programs that offer day programs or activities, respite care (temporary care of your loved one when you need a relief such as when you are going out of town, need a break, or you yourself need to recover from an illness), financial assistance and disability info. In addition, consult with family and friends to see if they are willing to help you - this could be with cleaning, cooking, offering to stay at your house while you go shopping, etc. Do not be afraid to ask for help. It's also important to find time for yourself. If you are taking your loved one to outpatient therapy for a couple of hours, leave and use that time to go do shopping, run errands, take a nap, exercise, visit with friends, or just spend some quiet time alone.

Caregiver Assistance Websites

The following is a list of websites that talk about caregiver assistance and information. Find out how to assist with stroke recovery, what's involved in elder care, how to deal with issues that caregivers face, and how to hire outside caregivers.

www.Caregiver.com
A leading provider of information and resources for family and professional caregivers.

www.Caregiver.org
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.

www.Longtermcarelocators.com
Nationwide Senior Care Resource For Caregivers, Families & Companies Since 2003.

Elder Care: First Steps – Caring for an aging parent, elderly spouse, domestic partner or close friend presents tough challenges. Often, you're not sure of the next step, or even the first step. This article from Aging Parents and Elder Care is a step-by-step guide to help you begin your caregiving journey.

Elder Care Online
ElderCare Online is a beacon for people caring for aging loved ones. Whether you are caring for a spouse, parent, relative or neighbor, they are committed to providing an online community where supportive peers and professionals help you improve quality of life for yourself and your elder.

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