Caregivers are: wives, husbands, parents, children, friends, employees…
Are YOU caring for a parent, spouse or sick relative? You‘re a caregiver.
Learn to care for another and care for yourself, using these web sites.
Surfing for Solutions?
As a caregiver, you may find that your questions about issues you and your loved-one are (or will be) facing seem overwhelming. For those with computer savvy, below are a few websites which are good places to find supportive resources, learn more about your important role as caregiver, and participate in "virtual communities," sharing your feelings with others around the world who share your caregiving concerns.
Agenet Eldercare Network
www.agenet.com Broad range of topics focused on caregiving and the older population.
American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry
Information on a wide variety of older adult mental health issues.
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
American Association for Retired Persons (AARP)
www.aarp.org (in English and Spanish)
Very diverse web page with many different areas of interest for caregivers, including an online chatroom.
BenefitsCheck Up
User-friendly service that identifies federal and state assistance programs for older adults.
Caregiver Survival Resources
This web site has all types of resources and a wealth of information with links to other
health-related web sites, information on books, and disease-specific resources.
This is an information and referral network for caregivers and seniors. Its most notable feature is its selection of search engines for housing, geriatricians, lawyers, care managers, and hospice care.
Caregiving Online: Wellness for Caregivers of an Aging Relative, Friend, or Neighbor
This web site is an offshoot of Caregiving newsletter offering moral support from fellow caregivers and other links
CareGuide by Global CareGuide, Inc.
CareGuide is a care management company dedicated to helping people at every stage of the aging process lead more comfortable, secure, and independent lives.
www.CaregiverResource.net or call 616-456-5664
Family Caregiver Alliance
This agency serves only California, but its web site offers helpful information and informative links for both in-and out-of-state caregivers.
Friend’s Health Connection
A nonprofit support network that connects people with similar health problems for the purpose of mutual support.
The Grief Recovery Institute
At this site you can order a handbook and articles about grieving and loss. It also has information about the grief recovery counseling specialist certification program for professionals.
Health Insurance Association of America
This site offers good consumer information, and it has brochures and online order forms for other publications.
Hospice Association of America (HAA)
This site is designed by a caregiver, and it provides all sorts of information and support, both technical and emotional.
Little Brothers: Friends of the Elderly
This national not-for-profit organization is committed to relieving isolation and loneliness of the elderly.
Living with Grief: When a Loved One is Dying, by Yvonne Sun
This web site offers help to those with a dying relative or friend. On-line chat available.
Mobility International
National Association for Home Care
This association provides an online guide on how to choose a home care agency. Its web site also lists resources by state.
National Center on Elder Abuse
1225 I Street NW, Suite 725
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 898-2586
National Family Caregivers Association
A national organization offering support to caregivers along with free membership in the organization.
Nolo.Com, Inc: Self Help Law Center
This web site offers articles, books, and other information on topics ranging from how to deal with employment issues to wills and power of attorney.
The Third Age e-zine
A diverse web page with excellent family caregiving information, resources, and software.
Well Spouse Foundation
An association of spousal caregivers.
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Serving 9 area counties. Web site still under construction but provides a list of services and opportunity to contact.
Caregiver Resource Network
A partnership of Kent County organizations providing information and support for family and professional caregivers.
Gerontology Network
Web site lists and describes services and provides links to state and area services.
Grand Rapids Dominican Center
List of programs offered at the Dominican Center. Check the Healing Space listing for information on stress reduction.
HHS, Health Options
Heartland Home Health Care and Hospice www.heartlandhomehealth.com
Agency provides skilled nursing, therapies, infusion, social work, chaplain and bereavement care in-home, and in nursing and assisted living facilities.
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Mental health issues are the focus. Extensive, in-depth articles on specific conditions. Information on stress and stress management.
The Michigan Aging Services System (MASS) website.
Senior Neighbors
Provides essential services for independent living to older adults 60+.
Senior Resources of West Michigan
www.SeniorResourcesOfWestMI.com
The Area Agency on Aging that covers Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa Counties.
West Michigan United Way
West Michigan's premier information and referral resource, is now on line through this address.
West Michigan Caregivers Alliance
information, links to services and more.
National Institute on Aging
www.nih.gov/nia (in English and Spanish)
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Medicare Information
The official U.S. government site for Medicare information.
Medicare Basics: A Guide for Caregivers http://cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/materials/caregiversbrochure/default.asp Provides caregivers a guide through eight critical decision points in the health care process.
Michigan Dept. of Community Health
Lists services by county with links to other resources, both state and federal. Good site, but information may not be up to date.
Administration
on Aging
www.aoa.dhhs.gov
A diverse web page with broad range of information on many topics of interest to older adults and their issues.
AEGIS HIV/AIDS
This giant electronic bulletin board is updated hourly. Pools resource information from 66 countries for those who are infected or are caring for someone who is infected with HIV.
The Alzheimer’s Association, National Office
For local chapter: (800) 272-3900 (toll free)
Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)
American Cancer Society (ACS)
www.cancer.org (in English and Spanish)
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF)
This web site describes the AHAF’s current research and education programs about age-related and degenerative diseases. It has a program that may provide emergency financial assistance to eligible families with a loved one suffering with Alzheimer’s disease.
American Heart Association
National Chapter
American Parkinson Disease Association www.apdaparkinson.com
American Stroke Association
The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association. www.alsa.org
Brain Injury Association, Inc.
Cancer Information Service
(In English and Spanish)
HotelDocs
Arranges doctors for those who may need medical attention while they are on vacation.
Mayo Clinic
Broad range of topics regarding health care, specific disease conditions.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Spinal Cord Injury Association
OncoLink, University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center www.oncolink.upenn.edu
Extensive information and statistics on all types of cancer.
The Spinal Cord Injury Ring - Resources for the disabled. www.makoa.org/sci.htm
National Organization for Rare Disorders
The Caregivers Marketplace (TCM) is the nation's first free cash back and discount buying program for everyone who needs, gets or gives care.
This Fact Sheet is provided as a public service of the Caregiver Resource Network. The Caregiver Resource Network is a collaboration of Kent County organizations dedicated to providing for the needs and welfare of family and professional caregivers within the community. Funded by the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan with Older American’s Act Title IIIE, Family Caregiver Support Funds. Revised 2/18/03