Caregiver Corner
For those who care for family members and others
The State of New Hampshire recognizes that informal caregiving by family members and friends is essential for children, adults and older adults who have disabilities, complex medical conditions, and/or behavioral or mental health conditions, and adults with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders to remain in the community.
Nationally nearly one out of every four US households is involved in caregiving and in New Hampshire alone, over 170,000 citizens provide informal care to another person. Forty-four million caregivers make up our informal social services system nationwide and 85% of long-term care is provided by unpaid family caregivers.
While caregiving for a loved one may be one of the most important and rewarding roles, it may also be the hardest. Among those counted as informal family caregivers there is a growing number of older grandparents who have taken on the responsibility in their later years to raise their grandchildren due to difficult parental circumstances or due to the unavailability of parents. There are over 3 million children being raised by grandparents or other adult family members in America.
Online Trainings and Resources
AARP Caregiving Resource Center - includes webinars, research, connections to other caregivers, and more.
AARP's Prepare to Care - A Planning Guide for Families - While you might not be thinking about it now, putting together a caregiving plan with your loved ones and other family members helps eliminate problems at home and work. In addition to minimizing the last minute scrambling and family tensions that commonly arise when a once-independent loved one needs more consistent care, a caregiving plan can also help reduce a family's financial strain.
Caregiver Burnout: Symptoms and How to Avoid Them - Caring for others can be deeply rewarding; however, the task comes with great responsibility. The demands that come with caregiving can limit social activities and prevent caregivers from maintaining their own health and wellness. When this state of self-neglect reaches an intolerable level, you'll experience what we call caregiver burnout.
Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging- Educational videos focused on supporting Caregivers through early, moderate, and late stage Dementia, covering coping skills, critical transitions, decisions, and changing relationships.
Family Caregiver Alliance - Family Caregiver Alliance is a public voice for caregivers, illuminating the daily challenges they face, offering them the assistance they so desperately need and deserve, and championing their cause through education, services, research and advocacy.
Long Term Care Ombudsman - The Long-Term Care Ombudsman receives, services, investigates and resolves complaints or problems concerning residents of long-term health care facilities. The program also provides advocacy services to long-term care facility residents, and comments on existing and proposed legislation, regulations and policies affecting long-term care residents. Education is provided to residents, family members and facility staff concerning the legal rights of residents.
Mesothelioma Caregivers - Serving as the primary caregiver for a person with mesothelioma is not an easy task. Caregivers are the strongest source of support for a loved one with mesothelioma. As a caregiver, it's important that you take care of your loved one and yourself. Please feel free to take a look at some of the great information and resources on this website.
National Alzheimer's Association - From coast to coast, the local chapters of the Alzheimer's Association are in your community, providing core services to families and professionals, including information and referral, support groups, care consultation, education and safety services.
National Family Caregiver Association - The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships and life stages to help transform family caregivers' lives by removing barriers to health and well-being.
New Hampshire Adult Day Services Association - For over 20 years, the New Hampshire Adult Day Services Association (NHADSA) has been the voice for the state's Adult Day Service industry. NHADSA represents over 15 provider members and supporters and is a reflection of the programmatic and geographic diversity for this cost-effective and continually expanding system of community-based care.
New Hampshire State Office of Veterans Services - The mission of the New Hampshire State Office of Veterans Services is to assist veterans who are residents of New Hampshire or their dependents in securing all benefits or preferences to which they may be entitled under any state or federal laws or regulations.
Next Steps in Care - Next Step in Care provides easy-to-use guides to help family caregivers and health care providers work closely together to plan and implement safe and smooth transitions for chronically or seriously ill patients.
Transitions are moves between care settings, for example, hospital to home or rehab facility, or the start or end of home care agency services. Because transitions are often rushed, miscommunication and errors can occur.
Today's Caregiver - A Caregiver Magazine providing links to newsletters, care tips, and resources.
VA Caregiver Support: Caring for those Who Care - Caregivers are the family members and loved ones who provide care for Veterans who are living with the effects of war, disability, chronic illness, or aging. They deserve VA's highest level of support. On February 1, 2011, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) opened a toll-free National Caregiver Support Line.
The support line will serve as a primary resource/referral center to assist caregivers, Veterans and others seeking caregiver information to help in the care of our Nation's Veterans. Calls to The National Caregiver Support Line will be answered by VA employees who are licensed clinical social workers. The Support Line will provide information on VA/community caregiver support resources and referrals to dedicated Caregiver Support Coordinators located in every VA Medical Center.
The National Caregiver Support Line is open Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST.
The National Caregiver Support Line Toll-Free number is 1-855-260-3274
The Family Support Warm Line - 1-800-640-6486 (Mon - Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm)