Caregivers aren’t just professionals or those who get paid. A caregiver is anyone who helps another person, family member or friend, with daily tasks, management of medical appointments and information, or decision making. You do not have to be living in the home or providing hands-on support to be a caregiver.
A spouse caring for their partner with dementia or an adult helping their aging parent with decisions about future housing and care are both caregivers. A friend helping with medication management and daily chores is also a caregiver. Someone who provides transportation, financial management, or food support such as grocery shopping or meal prep are all caregivers.
Are you a caregiver? No matter what level of care you are providing your loved one, you need support. It can be tough when you don’t know where to start. It can also be hard to find the time to get the support you need. Help is available, even if you aren’t able to attend in-person groups or classes.
Get online resources through Trualta, our online caregiving portal. The portal includes quick snippets of information that take less than 10 minutes for each video or article, some as quick as 2 minutes. Information is available on a range of topics related to specific diseases or managing daily living with general aging processes. There are also webinars and a dedicated caregiver section. Register for free today!
More online support is available through Active Daily Living. Sign up for regular newsletters with short articles covering a wide range of topics from specific disease processes to managing blood pressure and fall safety. Sign up here.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has a section specifically dedicated for caregiver on their website. It includes how to be successful, mental health for the caregiver, and other supports. Read more on their website.
Stay active and engaged with GetSetUp. The online platform offers online classes for various interests including cooking, art, exercise, technology, or education. The site also includes articles for various topics including travel, work, fitness, and money. Learn more here.
Other helpful organizations with online resources include the Family Caregiver Alliance, ElderCare Locator at ACLS, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Michigan Disability Resources, National Alliance on Caregiving.