Resources to Help New Caregivers

Providing care for other people is a rewarding service, but it can also be very draining. There are resources to help new caregivers available, but many people don’t know the help is out there.

RESOURCES TO HELP NEW CAREGIVERS

There are actually a lot of free resources available to help those who are caring for the elderly.

Educating yourself with the available resources is an important first step to getting the help you need.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR CAREGIVERS

Start off by learning all you can about caregiving and the elderly.

Are you caring for elderly parents or family members? Maybe you work for an agency and provide care for the aged in their homes.

It doesn’t matter why you are working with the older population, you still need to learn about the role of caregiving.

Here are some handy resources to get you started on the journey of caregiving.

• The National Center on Caregiving has a very thorough guide for beginning caregivers. Caregiving 101 will walk you through many areas of caregiving.
• Aging in Place has a guide to caring for elderly parents that gives a good overview of what to expect.
• AgingCare has a wonderful article for new caregivers. Find out how to prepare and what to expect in the caregiving journey.
• HelpGuide has a resource to prepare people for family caregiving and the specific challenges these family’s face.
• Thrive Global can help you get used to elderly care with this article about 10 important things caregivers need to observe in the elderly.
• AARP has a large section on their website that is devoted to providing caregivers with the latest news and information.

GOVERNMENT RESOURCES FOR CAREGIVERS

There are some specific government resources and agencies that caregivers may need to consult and access for their clients or family members.

Some of the agencies that caregivers commonly access are:

• Benefits CheckUp is a non-profit site that is run by the National Council on Aging. It has a benefit finder tool that helps you get information on federal, state and local programs your client may qualify for.
• The Administration on Aging oversees many national programs and services for the elderly. They also oversee a network of community-based organizations called Area Agencies on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Centers that offer in-person assistance with accessing these programs and services. You can find your local Area Agency on Aging quickly on their website.
• If your client or family member was a member of the military they may qualify for special veteran benefits. Check the Department of Veterans Affairs to see if there are any benefits you are missing.

START THE CAREGIVING JOURNEY OFF RIGHT

As you can see there are many resources to help new caregivers.

Start by reading through these articles and getting a basic understanding of what will be required of you.

Once you have a foundation of knowledge about caregiving you will be more prepared to provide a safe environment for your client or family member.

What questions do you have about the caregiver role?