Caregivers

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Caregivers

Created: November 8, 2004 Updated August 25, 2008

Web sites | Related Web Resources | Books | Periodicals and Newspapers | Fact Sheets | Local Resources

In October 2007 the Library hosted a three part series on Baby Boomers: Adult Kids, Aging Parents, and Reaching our Life Goals. On October 2, Catherine Conant, a Connecticut storyteller and humorist, joined us for a light look at caring for aging parents. Her funny yet sensitive treatment of this difficult topic brought a smile to all of us who have ever dealt with or are dealing with our parents in the last stages of their lives.

In collaboration with the North Central Area Agency on Aging, the Library has created this resource for Elders and their families. Here you will find contacts and information on a local and national level that can ease the decision making process for providing care to the disabled or elderly family members. The books are available at the Central Library.

Local Resources: Agencies, Organizations and Information
The Connecticut Statewide Respite Care Program
This program provides respite care to those caring for alzheimer's or related dementias. There are program guidelines and phone numbers for Agencies throughout Connecticut.
North Central Area Agency on Aging, Inc is based in Hartford. It provides planning, management and advocacy to the elderly and their caregivers. Contact:
North Central Area Agency on Aging
2 Hartford Square West, Suite 101
Hartford, CT 06106-5129
(860) 724-6443 or (800) 994-9422

State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services, Elderly Services Division's mission is to serve families and individuals who need assistance in maintaining or achieving their full potential for self-direction, self-reliance and independent living.
Information & Assistance
1-800-994-9422
Protective Services for the Elderly is a program within the Division that safeguards those over the age of 60 from abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or financial abuse and exploitation: Report abuse at:
1-888-385-4225

The senior citizens guide provides information on senior services, housing, health and activities throughout Connecticut.

Books
The library has many books on caregiving. Use our online Catalog to find books and videos on this topic. Use search terms such as caregiver or caregiving.

	Caring for an aging parent. Garrett, Sheryl. HQ1063.6 .C365 2006
	The eldercare handbook: difficult choices, compassionate solutions. HQ1063.6.H46 2006
	The emotional survival guide for caregivers: looking after yourself and your family while helping an aging parent / Barry J. Jacobs. HQ1063.6 .J33 2006
	Living well in a nursing home: everything you and your folks need to know / Lynn Dickinson & Xenia Vosen, with Severine Biedermann. RA997 .D496 2006
	When roles reverse: a guide to parenting your parents. Jim Comer. HQ1063.6 .C68 2006

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Periodical and Newspaper Articles

"Use our link to databases to search for articles on care giving. You have your choice of using any one of the iConn databases to look for current information. There is also a Health & Wellness Resource Center that has very reliable information. If you are accessing these databases from your office or home you will have to enter your library barcode

Fact Sheets
Caring for Someone in the Last Years of Life (pdf)
Working Caregivers: Finding a Balance (pdf)

Web sites

Electronic Monitoring: We've seen the ads for years that tout a medical alert system for elders living on their own. Technology has now taken that a step further. There are e-communities for caregivers and electronic medication managers. Here are some of the best:
Care Calls is a medication monitor that can be programmed by the caregiver to call a loved one throughout the day for medication reminders. If calls go unanswered alerts are sent to designated responders. It is fee based and most helpful for long-distance care giving.
CareGiverHelper is a free online service which provides families with ways to communicate, organize and find resources to support parents or care recipients.
CaringBridge provides users a way to keep up with what is happening with their loved ones from a distance. After the account is created, friends and family can log in to see the latest without having to make a telephone call that might otherwise interrupt the primary caregiver.
Lotsa Helping Hands is a tool for creating an online community of friends and families to work together to provide care for a loved one. The online calendar is privately shared with selected individuals

Administration on Aging provides information on many topics related to aging. Individuals and caregivers will find helpful and easy to understand fact sheets. A special page highlights November as National Family Caregivers Month.

Eldercare Locator helps you find an independent advocate in your area. This person can help finding the best resources and care for the elderly.

The National Council on the Aging is a national network of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health and independence of older persons; increasing their continuing contributions to communities, society and future generations; and building caring communities.

National Family Caregiver's Association (NFCA) supports, empowers, educates, and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for a chronically ill, aged, or disabled loved one.

The National Alliance for Caregiving is dedicated to providing support to family caregivers and the professionals who help them and to increasing public awareness of issues facing family caregivers.

A Place for Mom is a free referral service that helps families make choices for their elderly loved ones.

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Related Web Resources: Chat Rooms, Forums and Message Boards

Google Groups is a search engine for groups. Use search terms such as caregiver or elder care. One such group is called Portable Caregiver

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