July 27, 2018
Many people who are not professional
healthcare providers find themselves propelled into the role of caregiver for
various reasons. A fall, a health crisis or a growing stack of unpaid bills can
all be signs that a loved one needs some extra help. But the “why” of this
situation isn’t nearly as important as “what” and “how:”
·
What help does your
loved one need?
·
How can you help them
get it?
Fortunately, there are caregiving support and
resources available to help get you started down that path. Here are 6 keys to
finding and taking advantage of those resources:
1. Where to Begin?
It’s usually a health event that triggers the
need for caregiving, so understanding health insurance is critical—especially
if you’re caring for someone on Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, or someone who is
considering a move onto Medicaid.
The national network of State Health Insurance
Assistance Programs (SHIPs — though some states use a different name or
acronym) offers guidance from trained counselors who can help you understand
your state’s specific Medicaid requirements. You can often find
these experts working out of places like community senior centers and state or
local government offices.
For assistance finding your local SHIP
counselor, visit the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center.
2. Seeking In-Home Support
You might also be looking for caregiver
support for someone still living on their own—to help make that home as safe as
possible. Your local elder-services organizations might have specialists who
can make a home visit and suggest easy, inexpensive ways to make daily life
easier and reduce at-home injury risks. Check the U.S.
Administration on Aging’s searchable database of local agencies
who can help.
3. Nurturing Nutrition
A good diet is another critical piece in the
puzzle of keeping loved ones healthy and self-sufficient. Local meal delivery
programs can help with daily meals, and their volunteer drivers can be valuable
social contacts for folks living on their own. Meals
on Wheels America can help you find a nearby program.
For those who can still get out and about, the
local senior center might also host regular meal gatherings, providing good
food and plenty of socialization. The U.S.
Administration on Aging database is a good place to start for
these contacts, too.
4. Everyday Assistance
Maybe your loved one just needs a little help
with activities of daily living—things like housecleaning, getting dressed, and
getting in and out of a bath or shower safely. You can hire home health aides
through local or private agencies to provide these services.
One resource for finding this help is the
state-by-state listing maintained by the Family
Caregiver Alliance’s Family Care Navigator. Click on your state, and
then on the arrow for “Services for Care Recipients Living at Home” to start
your search.
When getting to the doctor is difficult,
telehealth options like LiveHealth Online can be a great
alternative to an office visit. It’s like an online house call—patients can use
almost any internet-connected device for a live video consultation.
5. Taking Care of the Caregiver
Caregiving can be a fulfilling experience, but
some people also find it challenging. You wouldn’t be the first to feel
stressed or anxious, which could lead to your own health problems. Employing
home health aides can give you time to run errands or hit the gym. Or, ask
local rehabilitation and nursing centers if they can provide expert, short-term
respite stays to give you a much-needed break.
Making time for your own exercise, relaxation
and recharging isn’t selfish. It’s critical to keeping you going—and keeping
your loved one healthy.
6. Great General Resources
Several national agencies and associations
offer online libraries and directories that can help you find the caregiving
support and resources you or your loved one might need. Here are just a few of
them:
·
AARP’s
Family Caregiving website – a comprehensive resource covering a
broad range of caregiving issues, along with an online discussion board that
connects caregivers to each other
·
Family Caregiver
Alliance – offers education and directories for caregivers and
is also a national voice for caregiving policies and advocacy
·
Help
for Cancer Caregivers – though specifically directed to those
caring for cancer patients, many of the resources apply to all caregivers,
regardless of the loved one’s condition
When it comes to being a caregiver for a loved
one, finding the right support resources can make all the difference. Start by
identifying the tools that will help you provide the best care, look into the
resources in this article and learn more about how you can do your new job in
the best way for your loved one—and yourself.
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