Long Term Care Resources
Caregiving Glossary
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Center
- You can find many educational videos created by the UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Program. The videos cover Sundowning, wandering, bathing, repetition, hallucinations, and refusal to take medications.
- Alzheimers.gov has more information about the diagnosis and training and support for caregivers.
- The Family Caregiver Alliance put together a fact sheet to help caregivers understand behaviors typical of those living with dementia.
- Home safety tips by the Alzheimer’s Association
Coping with Challenging Behaviors
- Dealing with Difficult Behavior fact sheet from the National Caregivers Library
- Family Caregivers Online - Behavior and Emotions of Aging
- Family Caregiver Alliance - Behavior Management Strategies
Legal topics to consider
End of Life
Housing
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Crisis Call Center
Compassionate assistance to people in any type of crisis
775-784-8090 or 1-800-273-8255
Friendship Line
A crisis hotline and a warmline for non-urgent calls. This line provides support services such as:
- Suicide prevention
- Emotional support
- Elder abuse prevention and therapy
- Well-being checks
- Grief support
- Information and referrals for older adults or adults with disabilities
1-800-971-0016
Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Support Line
1-800-272-3900
The 2-1-1 program is a free, private service to help find local resources, including:
- Food and nutrition programs
- Shelter and housing resources
- Utilities support
- Disaster relief
- Employment
- Addiction prevention and rehabilitation programs
- Reentry support for ex-offenders
- Support groups
- Safe help out an abusive situation
Call 2-1-1 to speak with a service expert in your area.
Caring for someone is rarely easy, and can be overwhelming. In order to care for a loved one successfully, caregivers must make time to care for themselves. Remember the facts and tips below in order to help you take care of yourself.
- No one can be perfect. As a caregiver, you will make mistakes from which you can learn.
- Many emotions will surface when you take on the job of caregiving.
- Depression is a common experience while caregiving.
- Wondering if you may be affected by caregiver depression? Depression- What it is and What it is Not
- Give yourself and your loved one realistic expectations.
- Use the education and resources available to you.
- Understand the skills required to care for your loved one, and be honest about which ones you are not able to perform.
- Learn to say “no” to anything you cannot do.
- Accept help from others.
- Be resilient.
- Identify your own stressors.
- Identify how you cope with stress.
- Remember the following tips for successful coping:
- Eat right
- Exercise
- Sleep
Most people need emotional support during their time as caregivers. Support can help set boundaries, improve communication, and boost coping skills.
Support groups:
- Caregiver Nation (caregivernation.org) ßFacebook group
- Caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias
- Smart Patients Caregiver Community
- A partnership between Family Caregiver Alliance and Smart Patients to create an online community for individuals and their caregivers.
- Find a nearby support group by calling your local Area Agency on Aging or using the Eldercare Locator
- AARP Online Caregiver Community
- Alzheimer’s/Dementia Specific: ALZConnected®
- Caregiver Action Network’s Care Community
- AARP
- Eldercare Locator, 1.800.677.1116
- Caregiver Action Network (CAN)
- Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
- National Stroke Association, 1-800-STROKES (787-6537)
- Brain Injury Association of America
- National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Disability
- U.S. Living Will Registry®
- MedlinePlus: End of Life Issues
- Alzheimer’s Association, 1-800-272-3900
- Family Caregiver Alliance, 1-800-445-8106
- National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD)
- Florida Special Needs Registry, 1-800-374-9689
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs, 1-800-96-Elder