Article - Caregiver Resources For Assistance

Advancing age sometimes brings special physical and mental challenges. We may find that it has become difficult to carry out daily tasks and maintain our independence in our own home. Perhaps we could use daily assistance with dressing, medications or meal preparation, but are otherwise self-sufficient. Or maybe we would like someone to simply "check in" to see how things are going. Possibly, we may need financial aid for this support.

You may find yourself or a loved one in this situation. Some people have large families that live locally, so that needed support is readily available. But what if you don't? What if you want to stay in your own home for both financial and personal reasons Where do you look for help?

Fortunately, no matter where you live or how far away your loved ones live, help is as close as your telephone or computer. There are numerous agencies, programs and organizations that provide assistance and support for older people. Each agency has a particular focus of interest and resources to support its clients.

In an effort to help their customers start their search for information and support, the staff at Dynamic-Living.com have researched this topic and recommend the following organizations:

DL Note: Please let the know if any of the following links are not working correctly.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)

The goal of the AAA is helping older people maintain their independence and dignity by providing services that enable them to continue living in their homes. The AAA provides information about public or private groups that support a wide variety of services, such as home-delivered meals, home health services, transportation, employment services, senior centers, and adult day care. Some AAA's also assist in coordinating the services.

How to find the Area Agencies on Aging:

• Yellow Pages in your local telephone directory: Look under "Senior Citizens Services and Organizations."

• On the Internet: State and Area Agencies on Aging (Then click on your state.)

The U.S. Administration on Aging maintains the Eldercare Locator, a national directory that helps people locate aging services in every community throughout the United States.

How to find the Eldercare Locator:

• Nationwide toll-free number: 1-800-677-1116

• On the Internet: http://www.eldercare.gov/

"Benefits Check Up"

This is a free program developed by The National Council on Aging, an association of organizations and professionals dedicated to promoting the dignity, self-determination, well being and contributions of older persons. "Benefits Check Up" is a simple and confidential online service made for seniors and caregivers. The program searches more than 1,000 federal and state programs and finds those for which the senior may be eligible.

How to find Benefits Check Up:

• On the Internet: http://www.benefitscheckup.org/

National Association for Home Care (NAHC)

The NAHC's mission is to help ensure that people who are elderly, disabled or chronically ill can obtain health care and services in their own homes, making institutionalization a last resort. They provide an extensive array of information about home care services - what is available, how to find it, how to assess it and how to pay for it.

How to find the National Association Home Care Provider:

• On the Internet: http://www.nahc.org/Consumer/coninfo.html

Department of Social Services

Every state and many local governments have a Department of Social Services (sometimes called Department of Health & Social Services, or Department of Health & Human Services). The organization offers information, referrals and assistance for the elderly. This department can help identify available community resources for care, transportation and nutrition services. They also assess medical and supportive needs, and coordinate a variety of services.

How to find the Department of Social Services:

• Blue pages of your local telephone directory (or in the Government & Municipal Guide) of your telephone directory, under "State of" or the heading for your town, county or city.

Visiting Nurse Associations (VNA)

VNA are local non-profit organizations whose objective is to provide "compassionate, quality home care". They are community-based, and provide a range of services, from recovery and recuperation services on an outpatient level to home care services that enable people to remain comfortably in their homes.

How to find a VNA in your area:

• Yellow Pages in your local telephone directory. Look under "Health Agencies" or "Nurses".

• On the Internet: Visiting Nurse Associations of America
  (Select "Find A VNA", then click on your state)

Assistive Technology (AT) Act Projects

These projects are funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. There are 56 projects, one in every state, commonwealth, and territory of the United States. Assistive Technology projects have developed statewide programs that work to reduce or eliminate barriers that impede access to and funding for assistive technology devices and services for individuals with disabilities of all ages. The projects focus their efforts on changing systems, such as education, vocational rehabilitation, medical assistance and others that deliver services to seniors and individuals with disabilities.

How to find your AT Act Project:

• On the Internet: http://www.resna.org/content/index.php?pid=133

• Call: 1-703-524-6686 and ask to speak to a Technical Assistance Project staff member.

When you need some guidance to get services to help you or a loved one maintain independence, there are many resources. But finding the right one may be a challenge. These community, state and federal organizations may be able to provide all the assistance you need or at least get you started in the right direction. Don't wait too long to get started because the search can take some time. You may want to start a folder for your files today so that what you need will be at your fingertips when you need it.

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