The good news is, however, caregivers are not alone. There are thousands of resources that can be utilized to assist with the responsibility of becoming a caretaker. Because so many Americans are faced with uncertainty in these situations, Congress recently passed the RAISE Family Caregivers Act. This act directs the creation of a national council that will develop a strategy to assist caregivers medically, educationally, and financially.
“The number of family caregivers, including grandparents who are raising grandchildren, is significant and growing,” said Lance Robertson, an administrator at the Administration for Community Living. “They are the backbone of our country’s caregiving system, and supporting them is critical. ACL is proud to lead the implementation of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act and the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act.”
In addition to utilizing these important community resources, it is critical for caretakers to prioritize their own health and well being. As we often hear when embarking on a new flight: Put on your own oxygen mask first.
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed as a caregiver, take a step back and make sure you are taking care of your own needs. Accepting help, joining a support group, and setting personal health goals are all great ways to practice self-care as a caregiver. For more advice from the Mayo Clinic on self-care and how to manage caregiver stress, please click here.
Please take advantage of the numerous resources listed below. If you have any questions, or if our firm could provide any additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (702) 731-2333.
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Area Agencies on Aging
https://www.n4a.org/caregivers
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging’s primary mission is to build the capacity of our members so they can help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
Caregiver Action Network
http://caregiveraction.org/
Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with significant health needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. CAN (the National Family Caregivers Association) is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.
Caregiving.com
https://www.caregiving.com/
Caregiving.com launched in 1996 to help those who care for a family member or friend. Caregiving.com features the blogs of family caregivers, weekly words of comfort, daily chats, podcasts and free webinars. Through its blog posts, podcasts and video chats, Caregiving.com holds one of the largest online libraries of caregiving stories.
Family Caregiving Alliance
https://www.caregiver.org/
The mission of Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) is to improve the quality of life for family caregivers and the people who receive their care. For over 40 years, FCA has provided services to family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments, such as Parkinson’s, stroke, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Our services include assessment, care planning, direct care skills, wellness programs, respite services, and legal/financial consultation vouchers. Ongoing support is available with FCA, also now on a digital service platform. FCA is a longtime advocate for caregivers in the areas of policy, health and social system development, research, and public awareness, on the state, national and international levels.
National Alliance for Caregiving
https://www.caregiving.org/
Established in 1996, the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit coalition dedicated to improving quality of life for friend and family caregivers and those in their care, by advancing research, advocacy, and innovation. In advancing our mission, NAC conducts research, does policy analysis, develops national best-practice programs, and works to increase public awareness of family caregiving issues. We recognize that family caregivers provide important societal and financial contributions toward maintaining the well-being of those in their care. In addition to national research and advocacy, NAC provides technical assistance to a national network of caregiving coalitions representing nearly 30 states and localities in the United States and serves as Founder and Secretariat for the International Alliance of Carer Organizations (IACO).
Parenting Our Parents
http://www.parentingourparents.org/
Parenting Our Parents™ (POP) is the personal tale of millions of men and women in their 30’s 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond who thought they’d finished parenting but have been drawn back in; this time, to care for their own elderly parents and other family members.
If you have questions on anything you have read or would like additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at our Henderson, NV office, 702-731-2333.
