Support Resources
The Krames Health Library provides access to articles and fact sheets on health topics. Search health topics, such as cold or flu symptoms, dementia, and diabetes.
MHS Health offers a free 24-hour nurse advice line that is available in Spanish and English. Our nurses can answer your general health questions and give you advice about where to go for care. Call 1-800-280-2348.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Center
- You can find educational videos created by the UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Program. The videos cover:
- Sundowning
- Wandering
- Bathing
- Repetition
- Hallucinations
- Refusal to take medications
- Alzheimers.gov has material about the diagnosis, training and support for caregivers.
- The Family Caregiver Alliance put together a fact sheet to help caregivers understand behaviors typical of those living with dementia.
- Home safety tips by the Alzheimer’s Association
Coping with Challenging Behaviors
- Behavior and Emotions of Aging - Family Caregivers Online
- Behavior Management Strategies - Family Caregiver Alliance
Legal topics to consider
Legal Issues - Family Caregivers Online
End of Life
End of Life Issues - Family Caregivers Online
Housing
Housing Options and Long Term Care - Family Caregivers Online
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Just call 9-8-8.
Crisis Call Center
Compassionate assistance to people in any type of crisis - 1-775-784-8090 or 1-800-273-8255
Friendship Line
A crisis hotline and a warmline for non-urgent calls. This line provides support services such as:
- Suicide prevention
- Emotional support
- Elder abuse prevention and therapy
- Well-being checks
- Grief support
- Information and referrals for older adults or adults with disabilities - 1-800-971-0016
Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Support Line
211 Program
The 2-1-1 program is a free, private service to help find local resources, including:
- Food and nutrition programs
- Shelter and housing resources
- Utilities support
- Disaster relief
- Employment
- Addiction prevention and rehabilitation programs
- Reentry support for ex-offenders
- Support groups
- Safe help out of an abusive situation
Call 2-1-1 to speak with a service expert in your area.
- Smart Patients Caregiver Community
- A partnership between Family Caregiver Alliance and Smart Patients to create an online community for individuals and their caregivers.
- Find a nearby support group by calling your local Area Agency on Aging or using the Eldercare Locator
- AARP Online Caregiver Community
- Alzheimer’s/Dementia Specific: ALZConnected®
- Caregiver Action Network’s Care Community
Caring for someone is rarely easy and can take much of your time. To help care for a loved one, caregivers need to make time to care for themselves.
Keep in mind the tips below to help you take care of yourself:
- No one is perfect. You will make mistakes.
- Many emotions surface when you are caring for another.
- Depression is a common experience while caregiving.
- Think you may be affected by caregiver depression? Read more about Depression - What it is and What it is Not
- Give yourself and your loved one honest expectations.
- Use the info and resources available to you.
- Know the skills needed to care for your loved one. Be honest about what you can and cannot do.
- Learn to say No.
- Take help from others.
- Be resilient.
- Know your own stress triggers.
- For successful coping:
- Eat right
- Exercise
- Sleep
Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers Fact Sheet
Nutrition Resources
Other Resources
- AARP
aarp.org - Brain Injury Association of America
BIAUSA.org - Caregiver Action Network (CAN)
Caregiveraction.org - Dementia/Alzheimer’s
ALZ.org
1-800-272-3900 - Eldercare Locator
1-800-677-1116
Eldercare.gov - Family Caregiver Alliance
Caregiver.org
1-800-445-8106 - Medicaid
Medicaid.gov - Medicare
Medicare.gov - MedlinePlus: End of Life Issues
Medlineplus.gov/endoflifeissues.html - Advancing States
advancingstates.org (formerly National Association of State Units on Aging) - Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
POLST.org - Serious Mental Illness
NAMI.org
1-800-950-NAMI (6264) - Stroke
Stroke.org
1-800-STROKES (787-6537) - U.S. Living Will Registry®
uslivingwillregistry.com