Home & Community Based Services
Resources
Where Can I Turn for Help?
When we begin caring for a loved one with a chronic health condition, it can be difficult to ask for help. We may not know whom to ask for support, or worry about being perceived as unable to manage all of our responsibilities. Locating available resources and information can be challenging and overwhelming, but understanding where to turn for quality services and information to support us throughout our caregiving journey is important. We can start by surfing the internet, but these searches often give us too much information, and it can be hard to determine what is accurate and trustworthy.
Read MoreA Caregiver’s Journey Through Hospice Care
There are many misconceptions about hospice care in the United States. When my mom’s cancer became a terminal diagnosis, I was grateful that I had a working knowledge of hospice services so my family and I could focus on her quality of life and pain management as she entered into her life’s final journey. Here are some useful pieces of information that may help us and our loved one make an informed decision about whether hospice may be an appropriate option for our loved one’s end-of-life care.
Read MoreA Trip to the Emergency Room
A visit to the emergency room can be an upsetting experience for many, and is often especially frightening for a loved one with memory loss. Medical emergencies occur frequently in loved ones with multiple chronic diseases, and are especially likely to occur to those with memory disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease. Fortunately, many illnesses and injuries can be diagnosed and treated in the emergency room and don’t require a hospital stay.
Read MoreHow to Choose a New Doctor
Choosing the right doctor is an important part of ensuring good health. A good doctor understands our needs, helps us with important medical decisions and makes us feel comfortable and supported under their care. But what if we don’t currently have a primary care doctor, are not comfortable with the one we have, have changed insurance policies, recently moved or have had a bad experience with our current medical staff? When we have serious concerns about our current care situation, it may be time for us to find a new doctor we can trust to provide the best care for us.
Read MoreGuiding a Loved One Through Cataract Surgery
If a loved one has trouble seeing and has been diagnosed with a cataract, we may be concerned about what the next steps are and how to prepare. The surgery typically recommended to treat this condition is common and low risk, but it may still be helpful for us to come prepared with knowledge on how best to help our loved ones through the procedure and recovery.
Read More