Get the Facts: Caregivers and Caregiving
A curated, annotated, and extensive list of links to vital caregiving information
AARP’s Caregiver Resource Center helps caregivers with the stress of caregiving:
ACAPcommunity is a non-profit organization that provides information, resources, and support for adult-children as they care for their aging parents and for themselves.
Alzheimer’s Association: Links to caregiver-focused information and resources
Family Caregiver Alliance is a national non-profit that has supported and championed the cause of family caregivers for over 40 years. Their highly regarded self-care resources include:
- Caregiver Resources on health conditions, caring for another and for yourself are provided in a variety of languages.
- In-Person Support Groups in the San Francisco Bay area are held in English and Spanish.
- LGBTQ Community Support
- Online Support Groups: Caregiver-online employs an email format for sharing; and Smart Patients Caregivers Community.
Gratefulness is an international non-profit organization that provides resources for living courageously and gratefully, despite life circumstances. Their mission and rich array of resources promote peace, reconciliation, and healing for individuals, relationships, and the world. Receive a Word for the Day (for daily inspirational and thought-provoking quotes), bi-monthly Newsletter (which includes practice invitations, blogs, and poems), or their Poem of the Month, free-of-charge, by signing up here.
Happy Healthy Caregiver: For family caregivers who feel isolated and overwhelmed by all their responsibilities and want help integrating caregiving with their life. The Happy Healthy Caregiver Community contains all the tools and resources a caregiver needs to avoid burnout. Over 100 “5-star rated” podcasts present real family caregivers sharing how to be happy and healthy while caring for others.
Health Journeys offers a selection of books, CDs, and other materials that teach guided imagery and other relaxation techniques to manage the effects of stressful situations. Created by a social worker and psychotherapist, the resources are available for sale in audio and video formats.
Help Guide offers trustworthy, ad-free information and resources for dealing with challenging mental health and wellness issues. Content focuses on mental and emotional health, family and relationships, wellness, and aging. View their caregiving resources. They also offer exclusive content from Harvard Health Publishing, the consumer health publishing division of Harvard Medical School.
National Respite Network and Resource Center provides reliable information on respite care and crisis care programs in the United States. Their ABC’s of Respite: Consumer Guide for Family Caregivers is a user-friendly tool that clarifies what respite is and offers guidance on how to choose a respite provider or adult day care center. In addition, their National Respite Locator helps families and professionals find respite and crisis care services in their communities.
Mesothelioma Hope Download a free “Self-Care for Caregivers” guide that has a daily self-care checklist; tips to prevent burnout; and support group resources.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a highly respected self-care education program for family caregivers that is presented by community-based organizations across the US. Research shows that the 6-week course improves caregivers’ wellbeing and effectiveness. The Caregiver Helpbook, a text provided to course participants, can also be purchased online. Available in English and Spanish.
The Caregiver’s Guide to Self-Care-2nd Edition: Help for Your Caregiving Journey, the book by Jane Meier Hamilton, MSN, RN, includes stories, professional advice, questionnaires, activities, and discussion questions that help guide readers on their caregiver journey.
The Compassionate Friends provides support and understanding to families who have lost a child. They offer a resource library, online support, and chapters that are located in communities worldwide.
Respite Relief for Military and Veteran Caregivers offers family caregivers of veterans or service members access to free, short-term relief with the help of in-home care professionals who will be able to provide companionship, light housekeeping, grocery shopping and meal preparation, transportation, mobility support/transferring, exercise, toileting, bathing, and dressing and grooming. Created in 2021 by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the US Department of Veterans Affairs, this new program is available nationwide.
Well Spouse Association is a national, not-for-profit membership organization that gives support to spousal caregivers: wives, husbands, and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled. Their services include face-to-face support groups; telephone support groups; online chat and forum; bi-monthly newsletters; peer mentors; and respite weekends. Call: 732-577-8899.
WellMed Charitable Foundation’s Caregiver SOS Program provides help for caregivers of older adults with no cost wellness and prevention programs.
- Caregiver Teleconnection: This program offers one-hour, no-cost conference calls that cover a wide range of topics; they offer answers to questions, expert advice, and an opportunity to talk to other caregivers. To participate, either log in using a laptop, tablet or phone. For details, call 1-866-390-6491 or email [email protected]
- Stress-Busting Program: is an evidence-based stress management program that helps caregivers of persons with dementia or a chronic illness. It is proven to:
- Improve family caregivers’ quality of life
- Help caregivers manage their stress and cope better with their lives
- Caregiver Coaching: Caregiver Specialists are available to coach family members and friends who are caring for an older loved one in the State of Texas. Professional coaches help caregivers better understand and deal with the challenges they are facing. Texas residents can call 866-390-6491 or search online: https://www.wellmedcharitablefoundation.org/caregiver-support/caregiver-coaching/