Arc Of Illness

 
Though every illness is different, most follow a similar “arc” with a beginning, middle and end. Some illnesses last for days or weeks, others last years or even decades. The Arc of Illness is designed as an organising strategy for information, tools, and resources to help caregivers and friends of caregivers.

Arc of illness

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middle

end

The “beginning” represents different moments.  Sometimes an illness has a vague starting point, a slow decline, sometimes related to “normal aging”, a time that many families prefer to ignore or avoid discussing. For others, “beginning” is a very specific medical event or diagnosis – a sudden stroke or cancer diagnosis.  The Beginning Resources offer links to help family caregivers and their friends during this period.

Care Central

CareCentral is a personalized web service that allows users to create a private, secure online community for loved ones during significant health events. It is a free tool to update friends and family, organize and schedule offers to help, and encourage messages of hope, providing support when it is most needed. Visit Page>>

Care Pages

CarePages are free, private web pages that make it easy to reach out and receive messages of support and to stay connected to family, friends, co-workers and others who care about you and your loved one. The service is available to anyone caring for a loved one, but may be particularly helpful to those who have recently found themselves in a care giving role. Visit Page>>

Caring For Your Parents

Help for families facing the practical and emotional challenges of caring for aging parents. Visit Page>>

Caring From A Distance

Caring From a Distance is a nonprofit organization created by men and women who personally struggled with the anguish, stress, and frustration of long distance care. Our strength lies in this shared experience and in bringing together our diverse backgrounds to help Caring From a Distance service and help unite the distance-care community. Visit Page>>

Caring.com

On-line resource to simplify caregiving. Visit Page>>

Caring Bridge

CaringBridge is a free, nonprofit web service that connects family and friends to share information, love and support during a serious medical condition, treatment and recovery. It takes just a few moments for you to create your own personal and private CaringBridge website. Visit Page>>

Children Of Aging Parents

CAPS assists caregivers of the elderly with infromation and referral, a network of support groups, and publications and programs that promote awareness of the value and the needs of family caregivers. 800-227-7294. Visit Page>>

Drugwatch.com

Drugwatch.com reports on the latest information regarding dangerous drugs and defective medical devices. Visit Page>>

Eldercare Locator - National Association Of Area Agencies On Aging

Eldercare Locator provides referrals to Area Agencies on Aging via zip code locations. Family caregivers can also find information about many eldercare issues and services available in local communities. Visit Page>>

Engage With Grace

The Engage with Grace and The One Slide Project have one goal: to ensure that all of us – and the people we care for – can end our lives in the same purposeful way we lived them. Visit Page>>

Help Guide

Many resources for aging well, dementia, and caregiving and housing. Visit Page>>

The Conversation Project

The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care. It is never too soon to have this conversation. Visit Page>>