Caregiving is a broad and complex topic for which there is an overwhelming array of information and resources available online and through local, state and national non-profit and profit organizations and businesses. We understand it can be confusing to figure out where to start and very frustrating to search for but not find answers that are sufficiently tailored to one’s needs. 

Here within the OurNewTime online community we offer you a different, more purposeful approach and experience to find and learn what you need to know for your specific situation.  This includes the opportunity to ask your question of others and to identify topics on which you’d like expert responses as well as peer to peer input.

To complement your interests and needs we are going to embark and take you along on the Family Caregivers’ Journey.  Some of you have been there and may have lots to add. Others are perhaps just starting out and don’t know where to turn or you haven’t even thought about how this could someday become part of your life.

Our Family Caregiver Journey is very much about the journey and the evolving roles/responsibilities and challenges for the family care giver on this journey -- whether a loved one is living in their home, any type of senior residential community or any type of short term care facility be it the ER/hospital, rehab, etc.  

Caregiving is a broad and complex topic for which there is an overwhelming array of information and resources available online and through local, state and national non-profit and profit organizations and businesses. We understand it can be confusing to figure out where to start and very frustrating to search for but not find answers that are sufficiently tailored to one’s needs. 

Here within the OurNewTime online community we offer you a different, more purposeful approach and experience to find and learn what you need to know for your specific situation.  This includes the opportunity to ask your question of others and to identify topics on which you’d like expert responses as well as peer to peer input.

To complement your interests and needs we are going to embark and take you along on the Family Caregivers’ Journey.  Some of you have been there and may have lots to add. Others are perhaps just starting out and don’t know where to turn or you haven’t even thought about how this could someday become part of your life.

Our Family Caregiver Journey is very much about the journey and the evolving roles/responsibilities and challenges for the family care giver on this journey -- whether a loved one is living in their home, any type of senior residential community or any type of short term care facility be it the ER/hospital, rehab, etc.  

Suddenly a New Caregiver

The advent of becoming a family caregiver is very often not an expected and planned for event. It happens in the instance of a loved one’s illness diagnosis, medical emergency, accident or perhaps more gradually with the progression of a chronic or ultimately fatal disease. 

None the less - whether sudden or gradual - most of us are not initially prepared or well informed stepping into the very complex roles and responsibilities of a family caregiver. 

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Family Caregiver Journey

So starts the family caregivers’ journey with their loved one(s). Because the needs and condition of the one being cared for will likely change for purposes of OurNewTime content, scope and discussions we are taking a broad view of family caregivers’ role and needs throughout the Caregivers’ journey whatever environment their loved one may live or be in whether it’s their home, the hospital, rehab, a senior living or memory care community, or a nursing home.

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Where do I start?

Every set of circumstances and family dynamics may are going to be somewhat different. Still there are some fundamental steps and considerations at the very start that can help guide subsequent short and longer term options, plans and decisions.  These will be discussed in more detail in ongoing Caregiving posts.

The topics to be covered will include:

• Guiding Steps to Start

• How do I juggle the rest of life with caregiving responsibilities?

• Family leave job protection

• Team work within family

• Engaging family friends

• Technology assistance

• Being an advocate for a loved one

• Caregivers sharing and helping each other

You'll take care of me when I'm old...right? https://www.cnbc.com/2015/09/10/caregiving-is-becoming-increasingly-common.html

(Kelli B. Grant | @kelligrant. Published 11:14 AM ET Thu, 10 Sept 2015)

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http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20161217/MAGAZINE/312179843

Daughter, student, caregiver, nurse: Unpaid caregivers are finding their place in the healthcare system. Helping healthcare's hidden labor force.

By Elizabeth Whitman  | December 17, 2016

Here are some national and state level organizations providing services, support and education for family caregivers:

• Caregiver Action Network (CAN) http://www.caregiveraction.org/ is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization. Mission is to “To improve the quality of life for caregivers and those they care for through information, services, and advocacy”.  Website includes an extensive Caregiver Toolbox. 

• The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)  https://www.caringcommunity.org/helpful-resources/models-research/national-family-caregivers-association-nfca/ is nonprofit organization within Caregiver Action Network providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.

• Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) https://www.caregiver.org/ is a National non-profit organization providing support, counseling and public advocacy support for families and friends who care for adult loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions.

• AARP Resources for Caregivers https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/ information and Caregiver Resource Guides by State to support family caregivers

• Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Center https://www.alz.org/care/ information for caregivers on all stages of dementia about early-stage caregiving, middle-stage caregiving, or late-stage caregiving, the Alzheimer's Association is here to help.

• Iona Senior Services https://www.iona.org/ - information and resources for the aging and their caregivers.  Center welcomes visitors from DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Expert Helpline specialists answer calls from across the nation and beyond.

• Eldercare Locator https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx: a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. 

• National Association of Area Agencies on Aging https://www.n4a.org/ Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) around the nation provide direct support to caregivers, primarily through the National Family Caregiver Support Program (Title III E of the Older Americans Act). ervices include respite care (temporary supervision of the care recipient to provide rest for the caregiver, which is the most requested service); individual counseling and support groups; caregiver education classes/training; and emergency assistance.

Visit our Caregiving Forum in the meantime, and ask questions, get answers, and share information with others who have similar interests!