Resources for
Caregivers and families
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: Second 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.
Young Onset Dementia Support and Education Group: The group is open to people who were diagnosed with dementia before the age of 65 and are in the early stages of memory loss/dementia; it is also open to their family members or partners.
"Powerful Tools for Caregivers."
This course 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.
The program, which is offered several times a year, consists of six weekly sessions and 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.
Suggested donation is $35 per person to cover the cost of materials and instruction, but no one is turned away due to inability to pay. For more information or to register, call BACOA at (847) 381-5030.
Caregiver Links
While this list is by no means comprehensive, some sites that can provide information and resources include:
AARP Caregiving Resource Center includes resources, background information and a blog
Aging Parents and Elder Care includes sections on elder care products and a free e-newsletter
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.
alzheimer's.gov is the federal government's free information resource about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Links to agencies and organizations with expertise in these areas.
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.
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.
JourneyCare (formerly 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.
The New Old Age is a New York Times blog dedicated to issues around caring for aging parents.
Plugged-In Caregiving, sponsored by the National Family Caregivers Association, lists technology resources that can help caregivers.
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.
