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.
The “middle” represents the period of an illness when the illness itself creates a “new normal” for the family. Focus points here are often on clarity of goals of care and ensuring continuity of care. The Middle Resources offer additional ways to organize friends and community to assist family caregivers as well as links to information from government and private organizations designed to help families navigate the illness journey.
AARP
AARP supplies information about caregiving, long-term care, and aging, including publications and audio-visual aids for caregivers. 888-687-2277. Visit Page>>
Alzheimer's Association
24-hour caregiver help line. 800-272-3900. Visit Page>>
Caregiver.com
Caregiver.com produces Today’s Caregiver Magazine, the first national magazine dedicated to caregivers, the Sharing Wisdom caregivers conferences, and a Web site that includes topic-specific newsletter and online discussion lists. 800-829-2734. Visit Page>>
Family Caregiver Alliance (National Center on Caregiving)
Provides online fact sheets and a downloadable handbook for long-distance caregivers. 800-445-8106. Visit Page>>
Lotsa Helping Hands
Free, private, web-based communities for organising friends, family, and colleagues – your ‘circles of community’ – during times of need. Easily coordinate activities and manage volunteers with our intuitive group calendar. Visit Page>>
Medicare
The official U.S. Government Site for Medicare. Visit Page>>
Medicare Rights Center
Largest independent source of medicare information and assistance in the United States. Visit Page>>
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
Geriatric care managers (GCMs) are healthcare professionals, most often social workers, who help families in dealing with the problems and challenges associated with caring for the elderly. This organisation will refer family caregivers to GCMs 520-881-8008. Visit Page>>
National Caregivers Library
The National Caregivers Library is one of the most extensive libraries for caregivers that exist today. Find hundreds of articles, forms, checklists and links to topic-specific external resources, organised into logical categories. Visit Page>>
National Family Caregivers Association
NFCA empowers family caregivers to develop the confidence and capabilities they need to deal with the day-to-day difficulties of their lives. 800-896-3650. Visit Page>>
RxCompare
RxCompare™ is a free tool developed by Medicare Access for Patients-Rx (MAPRx) to help users determine if they need to enrol in a Medicare drug plan and, if they do, to systematically compare the drug plans where they live and select the best option for their prescription needs. RxCompareTM works in tandem with Medicare’s on-line “Prescription Drug Plan Finder” and with information available from plans or 1-800-MEDICARE. Visit Page>>
Strength For Caring
Strength for Caring is an online resource and community for family caregivers that help them take care of their loved ones and themselves. Strength for Caring is part of the Caregiver Initiative, created by Johnson & Johnson Companies. 866-466-3458. Visit Page>>
U.S. Administration on Aging
This federal agency is dedicated to the delivery of supportive home and community-based services to older individuals and their caregivers. Visit Page>>