Caregivers
Because each person’s needs are unique, the responsibilities of caregivers are also unique. Caregivers assist with many tasks that help individuals complete daily activities. These tasks may include helping with billing and insurance decisions, accompanying individuals to medical appointments, physical care and attendance activities, and navigating care options.
Most people assume the role of caregiver at some point in their lives. Caregivers can include family members, neighbors, friends, and direct service professionals. Because many people assume the role of caregiver, it is important that there are resources available for people in each role to gain support and information.
Below are some resources for both family members and direct support professionals as caregivers. The resources should provide helpful information for caregivers with questions about providing support for individuals with special health care needs.
Resources for Family Members
Caregiver Support Resources
https://www.medicare.gov/campaigns/caregiver/caregiver.html
Caregiver Information
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/caregivers.html
Caregiver Health from the American Medical Association
Messages to Live By for Family Caregivers
http://caregiveraction.org/resources/10-tips-family-caregivers/
Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=847
Dental Care Every Day: A Caregiver’s Guide
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/DevelopmentalDisabilities/DentalCareEveryDay.htm
Families with Special Needs: Caregiving Tips
http://www.cdc.gov/family/specialneeds/
Long Distance Caregiving
http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/LongDistanceCaregiving/
Managing Home Health Care for Parents
http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/ill/machine.html
Resources for Direct Support Professionals
National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce
http://www.phinational.org/clearinghouse
The Direct Care Alliance, Inc.
http://www.directcarealliance.org/
How Health Care Reform Impacts Direct Care Workers and Their Employees
http://blog.directcarealliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/HCR_DCW-Impact1.pdf
The Paraprofessional Health Care Institute
The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
College of Direct Support
http://info.collegeofdirectsupport.com/
National Direct Service Workforce Resource Center