Aging And Family Topics
You will know when it is time to get help for your aging relative or neighbor. Where do you turn to get assistance with meals on wheels, transportation or just general information about caregiving issues? Under this tab you can begin to start a plan on how where to find it and if it fits for you. It may not be a mapped out plan for your family, but it is a good place to start. Get a pen and paper or your laptop, notebook or iPad and begin the steps of your caregiver journey.
My Family Health Portrait
The most important goal is simply to record your information. The Surgeon General's My Family Health Portrait tool can help you do that easily. The information will be useful to you and your health care practitioner whether or not the practitioner uses electronic records yet. Save your family health history so you can update it over time.
Website: https://phgkb.cdc.gov/FHH/html/index.html
Caregiving Checklists
Preparation and organization can be a caregiver's best friends. Here are a few recommended checklists to help you stay on top of a loved one's health and care.
AARP Resources
- Nursing homes: What to ask
- Preventing falls
- Choosing an agency for in-home care
- Home safety: How well does your home meet your needs?
- Hospice: What to ask
- Choosing an agency for in-home care
- Personal medication record (PDF)
- Organize documents (PDF)
- Dealing with pain
National Caregivers Library - Checklists & Forms
Tips and Howtos for common care giving problems
Eldercare at Home covers over 25 topics, giving guidance and providing clear, practical instructions for dealing with common caregiving problems.
Website: https://www.healthinaging.org/search?s=eldercare+at+home/
National Institute on Aging
A great resource with informative and helpful videos on a wide array of subjects relating to senior health, from Alzheimer’s caregiving to how to quit smoking.
Website: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health
Do You Care Challenge
Spend the next 3 minutes exploring what caring for a loved one is like on a daily basis. You might be able to relate more than you think.
Website: https://www.doyoucarechallenge.org/
Iowa Department on Aging
If you are an older Iowan looking for information about supports and services to help you live independently, or if you are the loved one of an older Iowan in need of assistance, help is available.
Website: https://www.iowaaging.gov/
AARP Website
A wonderful resource relating to all manner of caregiving issues, offering support and information with their articles, features and resources.
Website: http://www.aarp.org/caregiving/
2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
A roadmap to improved services and supports for family caregivers.