 |
 |
Support for Elder Caregivers By Dorie Edelstein Ladies’ Home Journal November 2003 Information is only a phone call or mouse click away. For those who attend to an elderly relative or friend -- about 22.4 million households now include such a caregiver -- the physical and emotional burden can be tremendous. "It's very tough, coping with work as well as your kids and husband while watching someone you love decline," says Gail Gibson Hunt, executive director of the National Alliance for Caregiving. Luckily, there are an increasing number of places to turn to for help. In all 50 states, local advocacy organizations called Area Agencies on Aging run government-funded programs -- ranging from respite programs for caregivers to in-home training on how to manage loved ones who are bedridden or wheelchair- bound -- through The National Family Caregiver Support Program. For more information, visit http://www.aoa.gov or call 800-677-1116. The Alzheimer's Association offers educational programs at more than 80 chapters nationwide on topics that include understanding Alzheimer's and other dementia, managing caregiver stress, and communicating symptoms or problems to patients' doctors. For more information, log on to http://www.alz.org or call 800-272-3900. The Family Caregiver Alliance National Center on Caregiving has a comprehensive Web site, http://www.caregiver.org , complete with online support groups and information on balancing work and caregiving, controlling frustrations, and coping with problem behaviors. There are also "fact sheets" on a host of illnesses, including Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. The Red Cross recently launched a nine-point education program for caregivers available nationally at local libraries, churches, and schools. Classes cover general caregiving skills, home safety, and even healthy eating. For more information, contact your nearest Red Cross chapter or log on to http://www.redcross.org Source: LHJ.com - Ladies’ Home Journal online SOURCE: Ladies’ Home Journal / Better Homes and Gardens http://tinyurl.com/vtbg * * * Reference: ( I also have a supportive web site ... murray ) Parkinson's Resources on the WWWeb Parkinson's & Care-Partners & Support Groups http://www.geocities.com/murraycharters/015.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn