Resources for Caregivers to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients
Providing full-time care for someone who needs assistance in your home can be as rewarding as it is challenging. If you’re one of more than 34 million Americans who provide care to an adult age 50 or older, it’s important to know where to turn for help, support and guidance.
This guide to caregiver resources in Oklahoma City and around the country can help you access information and support services. Remember: caregivers need care, too.
General Caregiving Resources
American Association of Caregiving Youth
This organization supports the 1.4 million children and teens who are caregivers for parents and grandparents. The site features counseling and support service links, including resources to help students remain academically successful while providing care. It’s a great resource for anyone, and especially useful if you have younger family members in the house that may be helping out.
ARCH National Respite Network
The Access to Respite Care and Help organization connects caregivers to local respite and crisis care services.
Caregiver Action Network (CAN)
You’ll find practical lists for immediate help with caregiving: doctor’s office checklist, patient file checklist, medication checklist, and more. You can also find helpful videos that offer step-by-step guidance for everyday caregiving tasks.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
This site offers information about Medicare and Medicaid benefits and coordination, alongside hundreds of other healthcare-related resources and informational guides.
Family Caregiver Alliance
This educational portal connects caregivers to services and support groups and works as an advocate for caregiving support from the government. You’ll find state-by-state listings of local government, non-profit and private caregiver support programs.
Home Instead Senior Care
This service provides caregivers who focus on aging in place and respite care for home-based caregivers.
Medicare
This is the official U.S. government site for Medicare and includes information that may be useful when looking at ways to help pay for care.
Medicaid
Find Medicaid coverage by state. For Oklahoma’s Medicaid program, access SoonerCare.
National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information
Information and planning resources for people preparing for the possibility of long-term care needs in the future.
U.S. Administration on the Aging
Here, you’ll find a home and community-based services for people over age 65 and people of all ages living with disabilities. The agency supports people so they can remain in their communities while benefiting from caregiving resources.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
This website lists links to thousands of government and non-profit health-related resources. You can find health calculators, activity and menu planners, wholesome recipes, and more.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Access federal housing assistance program information.
Well Spouse Association
This organization provides peer support and education about the unique challenges facing “well” spouses. The website is a support center for the estimated six million spousal caregivers in America
Communication Resources
Caring Bridge
This site offers private websites where caregivers can share updates, and family and friends can support caregivers.
E Care Diary
Here, you can find tools and resources meant to simplify caregiving, including the Care Diary, a medication and appointment management tool that helps families coordinate information in a centralized, secure place.
Lotsa Helping Hands
This site allows families to create private web-based communities to organize support for people who need help, as well as their caregivers. You’ll find a group calendar and sign-up tools for help with meals, rides, and visits.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Resources for Caregivers
Alzheimer’s Association
Caregivers can learn about the disease, including what to expect at each stage of Alzheimer’s care. The site also includes a caregiver message board, links to local respite care programs, legal and financial advice and resources, and access to local dementia caregiver support groups.
Alzheimer’s Foundation
You’ll find online tips, a toll-free hotline, educational and social services, and a special section for teenage caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Foundation also maintains a list of facilities across the country that meet their strict standards.
The Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA)
In addition to programs focused on awareness, the LBDA works to support people living with LBD, their families, and their caregivers through education and connection to supportive resources.
National Institute on Aging: Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center
The National Institute of Health provides this resource to help people living with Alzheimer’s disease and those who are caregivers to Alzheimer’s patients. You’ll find information about clinical trials and up-to-date scientific research data.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Dementia Care (including Alzheimer’s)
The VA offers caregiving resources for those caring for veterans who have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, as well as caregivers to dementia patients.
Veterans Resources for Caregivers
AARP Caregiving Resource Center
Information, tools, and resources to help family caregivers. The site also features a supportive online community where family and friends can connect with other caregivers.
Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE)
Resource for locating and paying for adaptive equipment that allows veterans with disabilities to enter, exit, or operate a motor vehicle more easily.
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)
Information about the HISA program can help veterans receive assistance for home improvements that allow for continued caregiving at home.
National Resource Directory
Directory of services for wounded warriors, service members, veterans, and their caregivers. You’ll find information about benefits, compensation, caregiver support, and housing and loan information.
Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS)
Connects veterans with resources for finding prosthetics, sensory aids, and other medical equipment.
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
The main portal for locating information about VA programs, services, and support for veterans and their caregivers.
Oklahoma City Area Caregiver Resources
Areawide Aging Agency
This organization assesses adults’ needs — primarily over the age of 60 — and coordinates programs that allow them to live safely in their own homes for as long as possible. The agency provides an information and assistance line and offers a printed resource directory focused on Canadian, Cleveland, Logan, and Oklahoma Counties.
Turn to OKCares for a number of useful tools to help you find resources in the state, as well as information for people that want to donate their time to help caregivers.
Oklahoma Health Care Authority Long-Term Care Services
This web page lists several Oklahoma-based resources for people who need long-term care. For example, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) can help Oklahomans find affordable, local home care and caregiver assistance.
Sunbeam Family Services
Sunbeam is Oklahoma’s largest social service agency and a United Way partner. The agency provides programs and services that address the physical, mental, and emotional health of clients and caregivers.
Two additional resources you may find helpful are available through the Concordia Life Plan Community. Download our Senior Living Guide and Memory Care Resource Guide and learn more about our unique, holistic approach to senior living -from independent living to memory care in the Oklahoma City area. We welcome your visit!
Caregiving
