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Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Inc.
Caregiver Support / Caregiver Resources

Tips and Resources for Caregivers

These tips and resources can serve as a reminder or a starting point for caregivers. It covers medical, legal and financial issues associated with caregiving.

Caregiving

  • Learn as much as you can about the disease and caregiving techniques specifically helpful in coping with the disease.
  • Helpful Caregiving Resources:
    • The ACTS 2 Project provides support to African-American Alzheimer’s caregivers. Through our FREE caregiving support sessions you will learn the essential skills needed to support your loved ones. In addition, ACTS 2 will provide FREE telephone-based training and support sessions when you need them. .
    • Family Caregiver Alliance - Offers programs at national, state and local levels to support and sustain caregivers.
    • Caregiver Magazine – A product of Caregiver Media Group, this site includes topic specific newsletters, online discussion lists, back issue articles of Today's Caregiver magazine, chat rooms and an online store.
    • Administration for Community Living (ACL) was created around the fundamental principle that older adults and people with disabilities of all ages should be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and participate fully in their communities.
      By funding the services and supports provided by networks of community-based organizations, and through investments in research and innovation, ACL helps make this principle a reality for millions of Americans.
    • National Institutes on Aging - Caregiver tips related to health, safety and support.
  • Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resources:
  • Additional articles and resource lists that may be helpful to you as a caregiver can be accessed through the Area Agency on Aging for Pasco-Pinellas.

Medical

  • Discussion with the physician regarding what is happening and what to expect.
  • Talk to your loved one’s doctor about potential referrals to physicians (i.e. neurologist, psychiatrist, or geriatrician) knowledgeable about their condition.
  • Know the patient’s medical history, medications, and dosages.
  • Regular medical checkups.
  • Attend caregiver training (provided in Leon and surrounding counties by the Alzheimer’s Project, Inc.
  • Develop knowledge of community resources.
  • Develop caregiving plans, including alternate plans for the care of the patient in the event of your illness.
  • Determine what you are emotionally / physically able to do. Arrange for additional assistance through family, volunteers, respite care (home health care, adult day care or short-term respite care in a facility).
  • Making the home safe for the patient is called accident-proofing.
  • Schedule regular medical care for yourself, reporting any changes in health to your physician.

Legal

  • Determine if the patient needs assistance to manage his or her legal/financial affairs.
  • Consult an Elder Law Attorney knowledgeable in issues such as Medicaid, Medicare, Guardianships, Estate Planning, Trusts and Advanced Directives. (The Florida Bar at 1-800-342-8060 can give you a list of Elder Law Attorneys).
  • Contact attorney for advice regarding:
    • Durable Power of Attorney
    • Health Care Surrogate Power of Attorney
    • Living Will
    • Will
    • Trusts
    • Guardianship
  • If documents have been prepared previously, know location and check that they are up to date with current state laws.
  • Helpful Legal Resources:

Financial

  • Someone should assume the responsibility for:
    • Checking Account (Bill Payments)
    • Savings Account
    • Other Assets (Money Market, Stocks, Bonds, CDs)
    • Real Estate and other property (location of deeds)
    • Safety Deposit Box- - Co-signer for box access (location of box and keys)
    • Security Box or home safe (location of keys or combination)
  • Review and determine the location of all insurance policies (Medical, Disability, House, Car, Long Term Care, Life Insurance, VA).
  • Check for Waiver of Premium Clause on insurance policies.
  • Investigate patient’s eligibility for financial assistance programs.
  • Determine the amount and source of all monthly income. Are any checks sent direct deposit?
  • If the patient is receiving Social Security, do you want to be designated as the Representative Payee?
  • Helpful Financial/Insurance Related Resources:

Funeral/Burial Arrangements

  • Know previously made arrangements for cemetery lot, funeral, etc.
  • Are wishes known regarding burial/cremation?
  • Autopsy arrangements

Other

  • Driving: You must judge when the patient can no longer safely operate a motor vehicle.
  • ID bracelet/system for Alzheimer’s Disease patient, particularly if wandering becomes a problem.
    • Project Lifesaver International The reliable, rapid-response collaborative partnership between law-enforcement and social service agencies aiding victims and families suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, related dementias, and other disorders such as Down’s Syndrome and Autism.
    • Alzheimer’s Project, Inc. – Local Project Lifesaver service provider.

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