Find agencies, print handouts, and services

Families with aging parents and other relatives need resources to help them address problems that arise as family members take on the role of caregiver. A source of support and information is important, says Michael Doran, CSW, coordinator of Caregiver Services at Health Outreach, New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. In his position, he gets calls from families looking for advice on legal issues, home safety, how to set in place advance directives, and other issues.

Following is a list of on-line resources to help patient education coordinators assimilate a source of support and information for the families that utilize their health care facilities.

Administration on Aging: www.aoa.gov. 200 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington DC 20201. The Administration on Aging is a division of U.S. Health and Human Services. The web site on aging has an Alzheimer’s Resource section and a Caregiver’s Resource section. Information for caregivers includes how to find help, how to cope with the role of caregiver, and how to find support groups. It also has a resource directory of names, addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers of organizations that provide information and resources on the needs of older adults.

Alzheimer’s Association: www.alz.org. 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (800) 272-3900. The Alzheimer’s Association National Office maintains a web site that provides information on Alzheimer’s including the risk factors and warning signs, as well as connections to local chapters, resources, and services.

Best Caregiver Information: www.bestcaregiverinfo.com. Telephone: (561) 212-5297. This web site contains articles, connections to organizations and associations that provide help, and information on standards of excellence. Articles on the Web site include tips on identifying depression in older adults, home modification and repair for safety, and how to find transportation services.

Consumers’ Guide to Quality Care: www.nursinghomehelp.org.The Consumers’ Guide to Quality Care was produced by the school of nursing at the University of Missouri in Columbia. It offers advice for families searching for quality nursing home care and includes suggestions about what to look for inside nursing facilities, how to identify quality nursing staff, and links to other resources on the Internet.