If you’re a family caregiver, you probably feel overwhelmed when it comes to finding information. You need help and advice from time to time, but how do you know who to trust? How can you tell if a source is really worth following?

 

Family caregivers have enough on their plate without having to worry about where to find support and information. Unfortunately, the reality is that there are many online resources that simply don’t provide the correct information or the best advice. This can make it hard for a caregiver to know who to trust – and can even keep a caregiver from looking for support online in the first place.

 

Every caregiver knows how essential it is to stay well-informed and on top of everything when it comes to their loved one’s care. If you have questions about living facilities, need help understanding a possible symptom, or are worried about drug interactions, you want to make sure the information you get is reliable and trustworthy. The wrong advice can have disastrous consequences. 

 

Today, we’re going to let you know the best online resources available to family caregivers. That way, you can know who to trust from the get-go, and won’t waste precious time hopping from site to site and hoping you landed on a good one. These sites are informative, helpful, and supportive – and they should be able to guide you through almost any caregiving situation.

 

The first and foremost reliable site for caregivers is AARP. AARP actually has a site dedicated specifically to family caregiving – and it provides endless tools, resources, and information to anyone who needs it. They cover every topic imaginable – from long term care insurance to the best living facilities – so that you don’t have to.

 

Not only that, but AARP also has an online community that can connect with you via social media – answering your questions on an individual basis. AARP also offers webinars, conferences, and other programs meant to provide you with all the information you might need. Plus, the site is completely free to use!

 

Aging Care is another wonderful website for anyone who needs some extra tips and resources. The blog posts feature a wide range of topics (from how to speak to your loved one with dementia to bathroom safety tips) and the articles are written by specialists with years of experience in the field. Not only that, but on Aging Care, you can actually connect directly to a specialist who can help you find resources in your local community – like counseling services, assisted living facilities, and social groups.

 

The Caregiver Action Network is a third reliable site for any caregiver looking for more information. CAN is all about providing the immediate help – when you don’t have time to scroll through long blog posts and need an answer right then and there. They have endless checklists to help you with safety tips, medications, and household organization – and provide access to how-to and informational videos. CAN can also connect you to a caregiver support group when you need it. The site is super user friendly and a fantastic resource for any caregiver.

 

Another favorite site of ours is Eldercare Locator. This site is a massive directory administered through the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging in Washington DC. You can use the site to find any and all local resources in your community. From adult day cares to support groups to events catered toward dementia patients, this site can help you set foot into the world of family caregiving with a community at your side.

 

Finally, another important resource is Caring Bridge. Caring Bridge is a site meant specifically to help family caregivers through mental health issues and give them the support they need. The site offers free support groups and connects caregivers to others who have faced similar situations. This is an excellent resource for any family caregiver who just needs a little support.

 

Finding the best online resources can be a challenge – but when you know which sites to trust, family caregiving becomes a whole lot easier. This job is often messy and unpredictable – so you want to be able to access information and get your questions answered as easily and safely as possible.  

 

We want to thank you for joining us here at All Home Care Matters, All Home Care Matters is here for you and to help families as they navigate long-term care issues. Please visit us at allhomecarematters.com there is a private secure fillable form there where you can give us feedback, show ideas, or if you have questions. Every form is read and responded to. If you know someone is who could benefit from this episode and please make sure to visit our show notes to learn more about these sites and resources.

 

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Sources:

 

https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/

 

https://www.agingcare.com/

 

https://caregiveraction.org/

 

https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx

 

https://www.caringbridge.org/