Resources for Caregivers
Some 44 million Americans, age 18 and older, provide unpaid assistance and support to older adults and adults with disabilities, according to a recent student by AARP and the Family Caregiver Alliance. The report also points out that 66 percent of adults over 65 with disabilities received their care exclusively from family and friends; only 9 percent get all of their care from paid caregivers.
If you care for a relative or spouse who lives in your home, a senior living facility, or across the country, you'll find help and encouragement when you call BACOA. BACOA provides resources and support to help you care for yourself while caring for others.
Classes and Support Groups
Alzheimer's Association Support Group: Third Thursday of each month.
Caregiver Support Group: First Wednesday of each month.
Early Stage Memory Loss Group: Support group for people experiencing early memory loss and for their family members or partners.
"Powerful Tools for Caregivers": BACOA will offer both day and evening sessions of its "Powerful Tools for Caregivers" class this spring.
The day program will be held from 1-3:30 p.m., beginning Wednesday, March 10 through Wednesday, April 14. Classes will be held at the Barrington Area Library.
The evening program is offered through CUSD 220's Beyond 220 program and will be held from 7-8:30 p.m., from Tuesday, April 6 through Tuesday, May 11. Classes will be held at Barrington High School.
This course consists of six weekly sessions and is conducted on an ongoing basis throughout the year. It is designed for the nonprofessional caregiver who is helping to care for a parent, spouse, or friend who lives at home, in a nursing home, or across the country.
The program helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate their feelings, balance their life, and enhance their ability to make tough decisions and to locate helpful resources. Suggested donation is $30 per person to cover the cost of materials and instruction, but no one is turned away due to inability to pay.
Caregiving 101 is offered through CUSD 220's Beyond 220 program; it is a 1-session course that helps caregivers better understand how to meet their own needs and the needs of those whom they care for. Classes will be offered on Tuesday March 9 and Tuesday March 30, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Barrington High School.
For more information on both programs, call BACOA at (847) 381-5030; for registration and information on the Beyond 220 programs, call Debbie Villers at (847) 842-3510 or visit the CUSD 220 Web site.
Caregiver Links
While this list is by no means comprehensive, some sites that can provide information and resources include:
Aging Parents and Elder Care includes sections on elder care products and a free e-newsletter
American Association of Caregiving Youth aims to provide information and resources to children and adolescents, 18 and younger, who provide assistance to relatives or household members.
The Alzheimer's Association provides information and resources on Alzheimer's disease; the site includes information on the Association's 24/7 Helpline, which provides information, referrals and support in 140 languages.
Caregiver.com is an online caregiver magazine.
Caregiverstress.com includes tips and resources for dealing with caregiver stress.
Caring.com offers information, articles and resources for those caring for parents and other loved ones.
Catholic Charities Northwest provides supportive services to seniors and their family caregivers in northwest Cook County.
Family Alliance provides supportive services for seniors and caregivers in McHenry County
Family Caregiver Alliance is a community-based nonprofit organization that addresses the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. It also offers an online support discussion group.
Family Caregiving 101 offers advice and assistance for family caregivers; the site also includes a message board.
Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois provides care and guidance on end-of-life and loss; it serves patients and families in Lake, McHenry, Cook, Kane, DuPage and Boone counties
Kenneth Young Center is a not-for-profit, comprehensive provider of senior citizen and mental health support services. Based in Elk Grove Village, it provides counseling, service coordination and in-home services for the elderly for persons living in Elk Grove and Schaumburg Townships.
National Alliance for Caregiving is a coalition of national organizations focusing on family caregiving. The site features the Family Care Resource Connection, which reviews and rates books, videos, Web sites, and other resources dealing with family caregiver issues.
The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers offers information on finding and working with a professional geriatric care manager.
National Family Caregivers Association includes resources, a nationwide events calendar and an online message board. It also features the Caregiver Community Action Network, comprised of current or former family caregivers who can help with information and support.
Senior HelpLine, sponsored by the Illinois Department on Aging, provides information on programs and services, and links persons 60 years of age and older and their caregivers to local services.
If you have questions about family caregiver associations or Web sites, please give BACOA a call at (847) 381-5030.