Resources

AARP’s Family Caregiving site

This section of AARP’s website offers a variety of articles and tools to help family caregivers. Some especially useful free resources include:

• Prepare to Care guides, available in multiple languages
• Training on health-related tasks (e.g. wound care, managing medications, and mobility) via the Home Alone Alliance project
• A “We Need to Talk” free program to help you assess an older person’s driving and discuss your concerns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Women’s Health | Tips for Caregivers

Taking care of family and friends is a normal part of every day for most women. It can be fun and rewarding to spend time with those who need you. It can also present you with new challenges. This site has resources to help women keep their loved ones as healthy as they can be.

Family Caregiver Alliance | National Center on Caregiving

This well-established non-profit has lots of resources for families caring for a relative, whether you’re just starting the journey or are a long-time caregiver in need of support. Their tip sheets contain excellent information. The Family Care Navigator feature can help you locate public, nonprofit, and private programs and services in your area. This can help you find government programs, legal resources, disease-specific organizations and more. There is also a free “CareJourney” feature, which is designed to provide customized support and information.

Smart Patients Caregivers Community

This community is a partnership with Family Caregivers Alliance.

Caregiver Action Network

The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) (formerly the National Family Caregivers Association) offers practical lists for immediate help with caregiving: patient file checklist, doctors’ office checklist, how to find a support group, medication checklist, independent living assessment and helpful videos. This site is easy to navigate, taking you through step-by-step processes to help get a handle on caregiving.

CaringBridge.org

Sometimes the burden of giving care can be lightened by sharing with others. CaringBridge.org connects families and friends around the person with health issues through free, private websites where users share updates and support.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – VA Caregiver Support

Run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the VA Caregiver Support site provides resources, services and other information for family caregivers of veterans.

Long Term Care Clearinghouse – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

This clearinghouse answers questions about the nature of long-term care, who needs it, how much it costs (with a state-by state breakdown), how it can be paid for, who provides care within long-term care facilities, and details on Medicare and Medicaid coverage of long-term care. The site explains why everyone needs to plan for long-term care. It takes the user through a step-by-step process of accessing it.

National Elder Law Foundation

This is the only national organization certifying practitioners of elder and special needs law; NELF’s Certified Elder Law Attorney designation is itself certified by the American Bar Association. The site includes a feature to help you find a certified elder law attorney near you.

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

This is a larger non-profit organization and community of attorneys practicing elder law. There is a directory available.

The National Cancer Institute | Family Caregivers in Cancer Support Page

Cancer Experience Registry

The Cancer Experience Registry is a unique online community that allows people facing cancer to share their experiences, identify the issues that impact their lives, take surveys, access resources and learn from each other. It is free, confidential and open to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer or provides care to a cancer patient. The Cancer Support Community Helpline provides emotional and educational services for all people affected by cancer and their family caregivers.

Cancer Support Community Helpline: 1-888-793-9355 or to chat live at www.cancersupportcommunity.org

Cancer Support Community Affiliates & Support Groups for Caregivers

The Cancer Support Community Affiliate Network consists of 44 licensed affiliates, 170 locations and a growing number of healthcare partnerships.

American Cancer Society – Caregivers Page

A cancer diagnosis affects close friends and family too. Find out what to expect if you become a caregiver for a person with cancer and get tips for making sure that you take care of yourself as well. Resources available include information and support on How to Care for Someone with Cancer, Taking Care of Yourself as a Caregiver, How to Be Supportive to Someone with Cancer, When Your Child has Cancer, and a list of American Cancer Society Support Services and Programs for families who are managing cancer.

Help for Cancer Caregivers

A collaboration of Anthem, Inc., CancerCare, Caregiver Action Network, Indiana University and Michigan State University, this website provides resources and news on caregiver caregiving.

North Central Area Agency on Aging

151 New Park Ave., Box 75, Hartford CT 06106
(860) 724-6443
info@ncaaact.org
North Central Area Agency on Aging serves consumers over 60, people sufferring from Alzheimers, caregivers and individuals struggling with physical or developmental disabilities. The agency funds and provides community-based services and direct services. They provide grants management and oversight to 60+ community programs and provides information, referral and assistance, elder abuse prevention, respite care, health insurance counseling, person centered counseling and evidence-based health promotion programs.

Connecticut State Department of Aging and Disability Services

55 Farmington Ave.
12th Floor
Hartford CT 06105
(860) 424-5055
The Department of Aging and Disability Services provides many programs and services to maximize opportunities for the independence and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults in Connecticut. Visit https://portal.ct.gov/AgingandDisability to learn about the department’s wide range of programs and services.

Connecticut State Department of Social Services: Protective Services for the Elderly

Incident reporting line: 1 (888) 385-4225 (M-F 8:30am-4:30pm)
Incident reporting weekends and holidays, call Infoline at 211 (within CT) or 1 (800) 203-1234 (outside CT)
Connecticut has a coordinated system to support the safety and well-being of elders who may be subject to various forms of maltreatment. This system includes the Protective Services for the Elderly (PSE) program, law enforcement, health and human services, and the court system. The PSE program is designed to safeguard people 60 years and older from physical, mental and emotional abuse, neglect (including self-neglect), abandonment and/or financial abuse and exploitation. Department of Social Services social workers respond to reports of elder maltreatment and devise a plan of care aimed at fostering safety while preserving the person’s right of self-determination. Staff may help the person remain in the living situation he or she prefers, safeguard legal rights, prevent bodily injury or harm, determine service needs and then mobilize resources to provide necessary services. Visit https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/Social-Work-Services/Social-Work-Services/Related-Resources for more information.

The CHOICES Program

25 Sigourney Street
10th Floor
Hartford CT 06106
(800) 994-9422
Office (860) 424-5322
The Choices Program gives free information and assistance on Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, long term care, supplemental insurance, and other health insurance benefits.

Long-term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP)

55 Farmington Ave.
Hartford CT 06105
(866) 388-1888
(860) 424-5200
ltcop@ct.gov
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) works to improve the quality of life and quality of care of Connecticut citizens residing in nursing homes, residential care homes and assisted living communities. All Ombudsman activity is performed on behalf of, and at the direction of residents. All communication with the residents, their family members or legal guardians, as applicable, is held in strict confidentiality.