City of Chicago Services and Benefits

Community Resources On-Line

http://www.irissoft.com/cje1

City of Chicago: Resources for Seniors and Caregivers

By visiting the City of Chicago's Resources for Seniors and Caregivers, visitors are connected to a variety of programmatic and web-based resources offered by the City, including information on elder abuse, domestic violence, grandparents raising grandchildren, health, and finances.

http://www.ci.chi.il.us/city

Chicago Department on Aging

Visitors to the Chicago Department on Aging site are connected to a wide range of services and programs, as well as the latest information related to older adults living in the City of Chicago. Topics on the site include caregiving, health, housing, finances, transportation, volunteerism, and education.

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=Aging&entityNameEnumValue=1

City Clerk of Chicago's Senior Citizen Medical I.D. Program

This site provides detailed information regarding the Senior Citizen Medical I.D. program and how to enroll.

http://www.chicityclerk.com/seniors/index.html

Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly

Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly's site provides links to instructional videos, reading demonstrations, and information on citizenship. It also provides free links to their products, which include "how-to" and fact sheets for persons assisting a loved one to learn English.

http://www.clese.org/

RTA: Reduced Fare Program

The RTA Reduced Fare Card site provides visitors with information regarding who is elligble to apply, how to apply, and where to go for additional information.

http://rtachicago.com/infocenter/reducedfare.asp

Chicago Metropolitan Area Services and Benefits

Community Resources On-Line

http://www.irissoft.com/cje1

AgeOptions: Serving Suburban Cook County

AgeOptions, serving Suburban Cook County residents, helps visitors identify and locate resources in the areas of health, senior benefits, finances, housing, and home maintenance. This site offers a special section on prescription drug assistance programs.

http://www.suburban-age.org

Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly

Colaition of Limited English Speaking Elderly's site provides links to instructional videos, reading demonstrations, and information on citizenship. It also provides free links to their products, which include "how-to" and fact sheets for persons assisting a loved one to learn English.

http://www.clese.org/

Family Alliance

Family Alliance, located in Woodstock, IL, offers older adults and their families a range of programming and services, such as adult day services, case management, support groups, counseling, and transportation assistance.

http://www.familyallianceinc.org

Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging: Serving DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties

The Northeastern Illionis Area Agency on Aging, serving residents of DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, provides visitors with information on local events, available resources, advocacy, and caregiver support specific to the counties served.

http://www.ageguide.org

RTA: Reduced Fare Program

The RTA Reduced Fare Card site provides visitors with information regarding who is elligble to apply, how to apply, and where to contact for additional information.

http://rtachicago.com/infocenter/reducedfare.asp

Senior Services Associates, Inc.

Senior Services Associates, serving Aurora, Kane, Kendall, and McHenry counties, provides details on upcoming events for the counties it serves, links for older adults, and activities for seniors in the surrounding communities.

http://www.seniorservicesassoc.org

Illinois Statewide Services and Benefits

Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly

http://www.clese.org/

Circuit Breaker and Illinois Cares Rx

By accessing this site, visitors can gain information on tax grants, license plate discounts, and prescription drug assistance via the I-Save Rx program. Instructions on enrolling and and re-applying are provided. Links to information on community support, elder abuse, domestic violence, and intergenerational programs are also provided.

http://www.cbrx.il.gov

Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging

http://www.i4ainfo.org/i4a_websites/index.htm

Illinois Benefits

The Illinois Benefits' site highlights the state's free resource for benefits, information and enrollment assistance for people with Medicare, their caregivers and the volunteers and professionals that assist them. Visitors are able to complete the Benefits CheckUp questionnaires to determine if they are eligible for the program.

http://www.illinoisbenefits.org/

Illinois Department on Aging

The department provides online listings of a variety of programs and services across the state, including adult day services, Alzheimer's Association chapters, area agencies on aging, case management units for older adult services, and family caregiver resource centers. Click on "Directory of Agencies Serving Seniors."

http://www.state.il.us/aging/

Illinois Department of Public Health: Nursing Homes in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Public Health provides guidelines for selecting a nursing home and a listing of nursing homes in the state, data on violations of specific nursing homes and information on advanced directives. Click on the "A-Z Topics" and then click on "Long Term Care."

http://www.idph.state.il.us ( The Long Term Care page can be found at http://www.idph.state.il.us/healthca/nursinghometestjava.htm)

I-SaveRx

I-SaveRx, which is available and open to all Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, Missouri and Vermont residents, offers visitors information on purchasing medication refills at a discounted price. Visitors are able to enroll in the program via the website.

http://www.i-saverx.net

National

Administration on Aging

The Administration on Aging (AoA) site is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of a wide variety of topics, programs and services related to aging. Whether you are an older individual, a caregiver, a community service provider, a researcher, or a student, you will find valuable information provided in a user-friendly way.

http://www.aoa.gov

Eldercare Locator

Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging. The Eldercare Locator connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.

http://www.eldercare.gov

Benefits CheckUp: Are you or your loved one missing out on benefits available to you?

Benefits CheckUp guides users through a series of questionnaires to determine if site visitors are elligible for assistance with paying for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other needs.

http://www.benefitscheckup.org/

Medicaid: The Official Government Site

The Medicaid site provides visitors with an index page that links visitors to information on the Medicaid program.

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp

Medicare: The Official Government Site

The Medicare site provides visitors with an index page that links visitors to information on the Medicare program.

http://www.medicare.gov

Medicare Rights Center's Home Health Care Info

The Medicare Rights Center is an independent source of health care information and assistance regarding Medicare that offers education on Medicare benefits and rights. The site offers education on Medicare benefits and rights, free web based video seminars with question and answer sessions, a telephone hotline to answer questions, The seminar on Medicare Home Health Care provides visitors with an audio-visual presentation that addresses what types of home care Medicare covers, how much coverage Medicare pays for, how you get Medicare home care, and what your rights are. The site is also provided in Spanish.

http://www.MedicareRights.org

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development: People with Disabilities

This page has been designed as a one-stop resource for People with Disabilities. It has pulled together a directory of links on housing and accessibility from a variety of sources.

http://www.hud.gov/groups/disabilities.cfm

Driving and Transportation

AARP: Driver Safety

AARP offers an online "Driving IQ" test, online driver safety classes for older drivers and lists of courses offered in your area. From AARP's home page, click on "Family, Home and Legal" and then click on "Driver Safety."

http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety/

American Occupational Therapy Association

The American Occupational Therapy Association provides information about driving evaluation, links to resources for self assessments and a searchable database of professional driving evaluation services. Under "For Consumer's and Caregivers" click on "Evaluating Your Driving Fitness" for basic information on this issue or click on "Find a Driver Rehab Specialist" to locate professional driver evaluation services in your area.

http://www.aota.org/olderdriver/

Alzheimer's, Dementia and Driving

This guide, provided by The Hartford can be downloaded or viewed on the web and is based on a study involving interviews with 45 caregivers and 9 people with dementia. It includes tips on warning signs (with a downloadable checklist), what to do if you think someone's driving is being impaired by dementia, and advice from other caregivers who have experienced this dilemma.

http://www.thehartford.com/alzheimers/index.html

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides information about driving and aging; click on "Traffic Safety" and then click on "Older Drivers" for a guide on "How to Influence and Understand Older Drivers" as well as information about the effect of various health conditions on driving, including Alzheimers.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/

NIH Senior Health: Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's-How Long Should Driving Continue?

The National Institute on Aging provides a very brief video (with transcript) of a professional presentation driving and Alzheimer's; click on "Caring for Someone With Alzheimer's," then "Safety", and then "Driving."

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/listoftopics.html (The video and transcript are available at http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimerscare/driving/02.html)

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago: Driver's Rehabilitation/Resources

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago provides driver rehabilitation services (driving evaluation) for those who may need assistance due to physical, cognitive or perceptual deficits; this service includes driving evaluation. Their "LIFE Center" health information page also has links to a list of local driver rehabilitation programs in the Chicago area; click on Housing and Transportation and then click on Transportation-Driver's Rehabilitation. There is also a list of driving and transportation resources the "LIFE Center" health information page, which has links to national, state and local resources, including information about driving with various health conditions; click on Housing and Transportation and then click on topics related to driving or transportation

http://lifecenter.ric.org/ (RIC's driver rehabilitation page can be found at http://www.ric.org/patient/services/driver.php; RIC's LIFE Center page can be found at http://lifecenter.ric.org/)

Seniordrivers.org

Sponsored by the AAA Foundation, this site provides safety tips, video simulations, and advice about how to handle "giving up the keys."

http://www.seniordrivers.org/home/

Nationwide Directories for Services and Caregiver Resources

The following is a list of searchable databases, directories, and referral services for a variety of social, health and long term care services, as well as caregiver resources.

A Place for Mom offers a free referral service that assists with finding appropriate nursing homes, assisted living, Alzheimer's care, retirement communities, and home care (nationwide).
http://www.aplaceformom.com/

American Association of Homes & Services for the Aged provides a directory of nursing homes and services (nationwide). Click on "Consumer Information."
http://www.aahsa.org

American Geriatrics Foundation provides a list of geriatric physicians in your area if you submit an online Physician Referral Request form (nationwide).
http://www.healthinaging.org/

American Occupational Therapy Association offers a "find a driver rehab specialist" tool (nationwide)
http://www.aota.org/driver_search/index.aspx

Assisted Living Federation of America provides a directory of assisted living facilities (nationwide).
http://www.alfa.org/

Caregiver's Home Companion has a directory of caregiver resources (nationwide).
http://www.caregivershome.com/resources/

Community Resources On-Line is CJE's database of social services and other resources for people of all ages, including older adults and caregivers (primarily Chicago and Illinois)
http://www.irissoft.com/cje1

Family Caregiver Alliance's has a state by state database of publicly-funded caregiver programs (nationwide).
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=1274

Geriatric Mental Health Foundation offers a search tool for finding a geriatric psychiatrist (nationwide).
http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf/

Gilbert Guide Online's paid service reviews and ranks of long term care providers in New York City, Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Francisco/East Bay, and Los Angeles. The site offers a free 7 day trial.
http://www.gilbertguide.com/

Hospice Foundation of America provides a directory of hospices (nationwide).
http://www.hospicefoundation.org/

National Adult Day Services Association provides a directory of adult day services (nationwide).
http://www.nadsa.org/

National Alliance for Caregiving and AXA Foundation offer the Family Care Resource Connection, resources for caregivers (nationwide).
http://www.caregiving.org/fcrc.htm

National Association of Private Geriatric Care Managers offers a "find a care manager" tool (nationwide).
http://findacaremanager.org/

National Private Duty Association has a listing of home care providers (nationwide).
http://www.privatedutyhomecare.org/

Communication Techniques for Dementia

Communication Difficulties: Assessment and Interventions

A majority of this article focuses on medical professionals communicating with persons suffering from dementia. However, there is a chart midway through the page that helps a person assess his/her loved one's communication abilities.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/511629

Communication Techniques Found to Be Helpful When Bathing Persons With Dementia

The techniques provided on this page have been designed for professional caregivers, but they can be adapted for use with a family members. Additionally, many of these techniques can be adapted to situations outside of bathing: eating, getting dressed, etc.

http://www.dementiasolutions.com/edge/GBHelp.htm

NIA Resource List: Managing Communication and Behavioral Problems in People with AD

By visiting this resource list, visitors can read a brief synopsis of books and videos available to people wanting more information on managing communication and behavioral problems in people with Alzhiemer's.

http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/managing.htm

Home Modification and Assistive Products

Illinois Assistive Technology Project

This organization provides information and assistance with assistive technology, loan programs, and an online classified ad program for those who want to buy or sell assistive technology devices.

http://www.iltech.org/

National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership

The web site has links to assistive technology programs in other states.

http://www.resna.org/taproject/

Infinitec: Infinite Potential through Assistive Technology

Infinitec offers creative solutions to those suffering from a physical disability. The site's resources include tips on home modification, exercise, travel, recreation, etc.

http://www.infinitec.org/

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification

This site provides visitors with a nationwide list of resources related to home modification designed to improve caregiver and care recipient safety. There are also online courses that provide detailed information on making home modifications.

http://www.homemods.org/

Companies that sell adaptive clothing:

Access Clothing http://www.accessclothing.com

Adaptive Clothing http://adaptiveclothing.com

Finally It Fits http://www.finallyitfits.com

Independent You http://www.independentyou.com

Life with Ease http://www.lifewithease.com

Active Forever http://www.activeforever.com

Caregiver Products http://www.caregiverproducts.com

Care Apparel http://www.careapparel.com

Foot Smart http://www.footsmart.com

Jeans and Slacks for Those in a Wheelchair http://www.wheelchairjeans.com

Buck and Buck http://www.buckandbuck.com

Professional Fit Clothing http://www.professionalfit.com

Identifying Depression in a Loved One

Council for Jewish Elderly Mental Health

By visiting the site or by calling 773.508.1000, you can be connected with licensed mental health professionals trained to deal with depression in the elderly. In most cases, counseling is covered by Medicare and private insurance.

http://www.cje.net/at-home/consultations.html

AGS Foundation for Health in Aging: Depression

The AGS Foundation has a comprehensive description of depression, covering items from types to identification to treatment and management. It also offers links to other resources, including a variety of links to fact sheets on depression in specific populations, other websites covering depression in older adults, and tips on talking with your physician about depression.

http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/chapters_ch_trial.asp?ch=32

Conditions with Dementia-Like Symptoms: Depression

This fact sheet from the Alzheimer's Society in the United Kingdom explains how to distinguish between depression and possible dementia.

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/How_is_dementia_diagnosed/Conditions_with_dementia-like_symptoms/info_depression.htm

Geriatric Mental Health Foundation

This site has mental health information for older adults and their families. It also provides a search tool for finding a geriatric psychiatrist in your area and information on the role of geriatric psychiatrists. In addition to information on depression, the site also provides fact sheets on healthy aging, alcohol and drug abuse, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and caregiving issues. Fact sheets on depression and a few other topics are provided in Spanish.

http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf/

Healthy Place Depression Center

Visitors to the Healthy Place Depression Center can find detailed information regarding different types of depression, depression in different populations, therapy options, support groups, online message boards, and self quizzes.

http://www.healthyplace.com

Mt. Sinai Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry Department

In addition to providing visitors with information regarding the range of services the department offers, the Mt. Sinai Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry Department site provides basic fact sheets on different medical conditions such as Alzheimer's, anxiety disorders, and stroke.

http://www.mountsinai.org/msh/msh_frame.jsp?url=clinical_services/psychiatry_ms.htm

NIH Senior Health: Depression

The National Institute on Aging provides brief overviews of a range of issues related to depression in older adults.

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/depression/toc.html

Helping Your Loved One to Avoid Falls

AGS Foundation for Health in Aging: Falls

The AGS Foundation for Health offers information on falls: causes, evaluation, and treatment, as well as links to a general fall fact sheet, what to ask a physician about falls, information on ongoing research focused on falls, and other topics relating to falls, including falls and balance problems, bone weakness, and mobility problems.

http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/chapters_ch_trial.asp?ch=21#top

CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

The CDC provides visitors with the latest statistics relating to falls and hip fractures in older adults and information on avoiding falls and fractures. Also provided on the site is a bibliography of medical and academic journal articles written on the subject.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/falls.htm

Fall Prevention Center of Excellence

Stopfalls.org has been designed for professionals and consumers, providing information on books, websites, fact sheets, and services available to those wanting to know more about preventing falls.

http://www.stopfalls.org/index.shtml

Infinitec: Infinite Potential through Assistive Technology

Infinitec offers creative solutions to those suffering from a physical disability. The site's resources include tips on home modification, exercise, travel, recreation, etc.

http://www.infinitec.org/

NIH Senior Health: Falls and Older Adults

The National Institute on Aging provides brief overviews of a range of issues related to falls among older adults.

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/falls/toc.html

Parkinson's Disease Foundation: Fall Prevention

Information in this fact sheet developed by the Parkinson's Disease Foundation is designed specifically for those dealing with Parkinson's Disease. It covers special areas of consideration for both Parkinson's sufferers and their caregivers.

http://www.pdf.org/Publications/newsletters/winter03_04/Fall_Prevention.cfm

Care Teams

Caregiving 101

Caregiving 101 offers web-based training courses on various caregiving issues. This particular lesson focuses on ways in which you can build a Care Team, as well as issues to consider as you create and manage your team.

http://caregiving101.org/LessonContent/m3/m3l1.asp

CarePages

Care Pages follows the "blog" format in that it serve as a virtual meeting place on the web where caregivers, Care Teams, and families can share news and photos. It is also a good way to give and receive online emotional support. Signing up for and managing your CarePage is easy and FREE!

http://www.carepages.com/home.jsp

Lotsa Helping Hands

Lota Helping Hands is a simple and FREE way for friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to assist loved ones in need. It's an easy-to-use, private web-based group calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers, where everyone can pitch in with meal deliveries, rides, and other necessary caregiving tasks.

http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/

Share the Care

Share the Care is a model designed to help caregivers create "caregiver families." This site provides stories of caregivers who have created these "families," FREE downloadable forms to help you create your caregiving family, and links to purchase the Share the Care handbook.

http://www.sharethecare.org/index.html

Hiring Help

A Place for Mom

A Place for Mom offers a free nationwide referral service that assists with finding appropriate nursing homes, assisted living, Alzheimer's care, retirement communities, and home care.

http://www.aplaceformom.com/

Alzheimer's Association's Carefinder

The Alzheimer's Association Carefinder offers an interactive care planning tool for dementia caregivers.

http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_carefinder.asp

Community Resources On-Line

Community Resources On-Line is a comprehensive database designed to help Illinois residents locate services available in their neighborhood. The database connects visitors with just about any type of resource imagineable, including information on adult day programs, support groups, respite services, and private care management.

http://www.irissoft.com/cje1

National Association for Care's "How to Choose a Home Care Provider"

"How to Choose a Home Care Provider," developed by the National Association for Home Care, provides basic information on a variety of in home services, as well as tips for selecting and paying for such services.

http://www.nahc.org/consumer/coninfo.html

Medicare Rights Center's Home Health Care Info

The Medicare Rights Center's HOme Health Care Info webinar provides visitors with an audio-visual presentation that addresses what types of home care Medicare covers, how much coverage Medicare pays for, how you get Medicare home care, and what your rights are.

http://www.MedicareRights.org

Missouri Aging Information Network

The Missouris Aging Network website provides a guide to issues you will need to conisder and a list of questions to ask of home care agencies and individual home care workers.

http://moaging.com/Internal/HowtoHire.as

National Private Duty Association

This professional association has a nationwide searchable listing of home care providers

http://www.privatedutyhomecare.org/

Tender Loving Care: A Guide to Hiring an In-Home Caregiver

Tender Loving Care: A Guide to Hiring an In-Home Caregiver, developed by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, is a easy to understand guide about the different types of workers that can be hired to provide in home care. It includes basic information about the limitations of Medicare and Medicaid coverage, as well as checklists of questions to ask of a home care agency or a public agency.

http://www.afscme.org/publications/1288.cfm" http://www.afscme.org/publications/1288.cfm

Financial, Legal, and Health Care Decisions

Aging Parents and Common Sense

Aging Parents and Common Sense is a downloadable guide for adult children and is particularly relevant for "long distance" caring. It covers how to gather important documents and information in preparation for becoming more involved in an aging parent's life, and dealing with financial and legal affairs.

http://www.axa-financial.com/axa_foundation/Aging_Parents.pdf

American Bar Association

The ABA has a page on aging issue. Click on "Public Resources" and then "State Programs for Older Persons." From there you can download several publications including Legal Guide for American Over 50, which covers a variety of financial and legal topics, as well as publications on health care advanced planning and guardianship. The ABA also offers "Find Legal Help" and "Find a Lawyer" features.

http://www.abanet.org/aging

Consumers' Toolkit for Health Care Advance Planning

Consumers' Toolkit for Health Care Advance Planning, developed by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging provides a comprehensive set of tools to help you make appropriate decisions and communicate with others regarding an individual’s health care preferences
http://www.abanet.org/aging/toolkit/

Do Not Resuscitate Form

The Illinois Department of Public Health provides a copy of the Do Not Resuscitate Form, as well as guidance for individuals who wish to use the form to inform their physician.

http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/books/guide_individual.htm

ElderLawAnswers

This privately-sponsored site provides comprehensive legal information on a wide range of health care, end of life, and financial issues, as well as information on Medicaid and Social Security. The site also offers online tools for finding an attorney or information about state laws (nationwide), a variety of calculators and checklist, and discussion forums for the public.

http://www.elderlawanswers.com

Five Wishes

Five Wishes, developed by Aging with Dignity, is an easy to understand tool for documenting an individual’s wishes regarding medical decisions which can also be used to have frank discussions with others regarding medical, personal, emotional and spiritual needs. Using Five Wishes forms meets the legal requirements of Illinois for the living will and durable power of attorney for health care

http://www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.pdf

Full Circle of Care

The Full Circle of Care from the Triangle J Area Agency on Aging in North Carolina provides a wealth of information on a wide range of topics, including legal and financial issues..

http://www.fullcirclecare.org/index.shtml

Health and Financial Decisions: Legal Tools for Preserving Your Autonomy

Health and Financial Decisions: Legal Tools for Preserving Your Autonomy, developed by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, is a basic guide to understanding alternative tools for making financial and health care decisions when an individual is incapacitated.

http://www.abanet.org/aging/HealthFinancial2004.pdf

Illinois—Advance Directive: Planning for Important Health Care Decisions

Illionis-Advanced Directibe: Planning for Important Health Care Decisions is available online from Caring Connections, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. A guide to the issues related to medical decisions and how to prepare and use advance directives in Illinois.

http://www.caringinfo.org/files/public/Illinois.pdf

The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, Illinois Office of State Guardian

The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission of the Illinois Office of State Guardian provides copies of Illinois advance directions, the “Do Not Resuscitate” Form, and information regarding legal guardianship

http://gac.state.il.us/pdfs/DNRForm.pdf

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson provides information on legal, financial and end of life issues.

http://www.strengthforcaring.com/

Living With Serious Illness

This web site is intended for those caring for someone with a serious or terminal illness. It addresses health care and end of life issues and provides information, advice and forms for making end of life decisions. Click on the topics on the left side of the page.

http://www.seriousillness.org/

National Association of Elder Law Attorneys

This professional association offers a nationwide "Locate an Elder Law Attorney" tool, as well as general information about what elder law attorneys do. Click on "Public."

http://www.naela.org

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders

Alzheimer's Association Carefinder

The Alzheimer's Association's Carefinder offers an interactive care planning tool for dementia caregivers. From the home page, click on "We Can Help" and then "Carefinder."

http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_carefinder.asp

Alzheimer's Association: Living with Alzheimer's/Caring for Alzheimer's

The Alzheimer's Association has information about the disease for the general population, children, African Amreicans, the individual who has a memory disorder, and the caregiver. Go to the "Living With Alzheimer's" tab and click on "Caring for Alzheimer's" for tips regarding day to day care tasks. Some materials are provided in Spanish.

http://www.alz.org

Alzheimer’s Association Resource List

The Alzheimer's Association Resource List represents a collection of items prepared by the Alzheimer's Association Green-Field Library staff on topics relevant to Alzheimer's disease, and caregivers. On this page, links to a variety of websites are offered along with citations of books, articles, movies, and plays recommended by the library staff. Many of the print materials listed are available at the Green-Field library in Chicago. For those without easy access to the Green-Field library, the Alzheimer's Association recommends that you contact your local Alzheimer's Association chapter or public library for assistance. From the home page click on "Alzheimer's" and then "Publications" and then "Library Resource Lists."

http://www.alz.org/Resources/ResourceLists.asp

Alzheimer's Daily News

Ageless Design Research Foundation updates its site each day with new articles and press releases relating to dementia that they have found on various websites. Each article that the site lists includes a brief description along with a link to the originally written story.

http://www.alznews.com/Library/InfoManage/Guide.asp?FolderID=53

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

This web site provides educational materials and tip sheets on managing daily caregiving tasks, communicating, dealing with behavioral problems, and more.

http://www.alzfdn.org/

AlzOnline: Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Online

AlzOnline provides presentations on issues related to caring for someone with Alzheimer's in powerpoint, video and/or audio as well as other educational materials and tip sheets. It includes educational materials about health issues related to dementia, such as incontinence, nutrition, sleep problems, pain, and depression. The site also maintains a message board with a variety of user groups, a scheduled online support group, and links to national and Florida resources. The site is also available in Spanish.

http://alzonline.phhp.ufl.edu/

ElderCare Online

This site provides a variety of forums and articles on caregiving issues, many of which are related to caring for someone with dementia.

http://www.ec-online.net/

The Forgetting: A Portrait of Alzheimer's

This PBS website, based on the 2-hour television special aired in 2004 with the same title, provides easy to understand information about Alzheimer's Disease and caring for someone with this illness, as well as ideas for activities and online activities you can do with someone who has Alzheimers.

http://www.pbs.org/theforgetting/

Lewy-Body Dementia Association

This site provides information about the disease and providing care. Click on "Caregiver" and look for "Words of Wisdom" which provides some basic advice on issues such as assisting with activities of daily living and dealing with trips in the car.

http://www.lewybodydementia.org/index.php

National Institute on Aging's Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers

The National Institute on Aging's through its Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR) offers Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers with brief, bulleted lists of suggestions and resources regarding a variety of dementia caregiving issues such as visiting the doctor, dealing with incontinence, coping with the holidays, etc).

http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Caregiving/HomeAndFamily/

NIH Senior Health: Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's

The National Institute on Aging provide very brief videos (with transcripts) of professionals speaking about a range of issues related to activities, personal care, safety, driving, getting support and other topics.

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/listoftopics.html

Northwestern University Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center

The Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center (CNADC) offers visitors to the site detailed information on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, such as Primary Progressive Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia, as well as indepth information relating to research and resources available to patients and caregivers.

http://www.brain.northwestern.edu/

Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center

The Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center provides visitors with information on patient care services and educational programs along with details relating to a variety of on-going research projects being conducted by the Center.

http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-1099611541603.html

Parkinson's Disease

American Parkinson's Disease Association's Young Parkinson's Information & Referral Center

This Young Parkinson's Information & Referral Center provides information and support for Parkinson's sufferers who are still at the stage of their lives where they are trying to maintain careers, remain involved with their young family's activities, and plan for the future.

http://www.youngparkinsons.org/pages/index/siteindex.htm

National Parkinson's Disease Foundation

The National Parkinson Foundation site, designed for both professionals and consumers, provides information on Parkinson's research, events, and resources. It provides downloadable publications on how to manage various aspects of Parkinsons and discussion forums, where visitors can post their questions to a variety of experts from physicians to nurses or share with other caregivers. Visitors must complete a free sign-up sheet to participate in this aspect of the site. Some publications are provided in Spanish.

http://www.parkinson.org/site/pp.asp?c=9dJFJLPwB&b=71117

Parkinson's Caregiver

This site provides extensive testimonials from other caregivers and links to a wide variety of resources.

http://www.pdcaregiver.org/index.html

Parkinson's Disease Caregiver Information

This site provides basic information about what to expect with the disease, links to other resources, and an online caregiver forum.

http://www.myparkinsons.org/

Parkinson's Disease Foundation

The Parkinson's Disease Foundation site provides information on Parkinson's research, publications, and resources. The site also offers an "ask the expert" section that provides a detailed archive of "past topics of the week." Publications include brochures (e.g., Parkinson's Q & A) and fact sheets that provide information or advice on specific health or caregiving issues.

http://www.pdf.org/

Stroke

Community Resources On-Line

Community Resources On-Line is a comprehensive database designed to help Illinois residents locate services available in their neighborhood. The database connects visitors with just about any type of resource imagineable, including information physical and occupational therapy, adaptive aids, and support groups.

http://www.irissoft.com/cje1

American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, offers a wide array of programs, products, and services designed for patients, caregivers, and professionals. There is an on-line discussion group available for stroke survivors and their families.

http://www.strokeassociation.org

National Aphasia Association

This site provides education information about aphasia as well as a nationwide listing of support groups.

http://www.aphasia.org

N ational Stroke Association

The National Stroke Association links site visitors to programs and support groups deisgned for stroke survivors and their families while also offering brochures, fact sheets, and a free subscription to their Stroke Smart magazine.

http://www.stroke.org

NIH Senior Health: Stroke

The National Institute on Aging provides brief overviews of a range of issues related to strokes.

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/stroke/toc.html

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago provides information on and links to many of the services it offers at its various locations throughout Chicagoland and the state of Illinois. The RIC's website is not limited to stroke information, though it does have a dedicated stroke section that details what RIC has to offer in terms of caring for stroke survivors and their famiiles. Click on "Online Health Resources" and then on "Caregiving and Equipment" for a searchable database of links to resources related to caring for someone who has had a stroke.

ht tp://www.ric.org

Health Care and Aging

10 Things To Know About Evaluating Medical Resources on the Web

Because the number of websites offering health-related resources grows every day, this site provides a short guide of important questions you should consider as you look for health information online. Answering these questions when you visit a new site will help you evaluate the accuracy of the information you find.

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/webresources/

AARP: Health

From AARP's home page, click on "Health" to access information about a variety of health conditions, including brain health.

http://www.aarp.org/

About Incontinence from the International Foundation for Gastroinstestinal Disorders

The International Foundation for Gastroinstestinal Disorders' "About Incontinence website provides an overview of the causees of bowel incontinence, as well as treatment, management, and downloadable fact sheets.

http://www.aboutincontinence.org/

Aging in the Know: Your Gateway to Health and Aging Resources on the Web

The American Geriatric Society Foundation for Health in Aging provides a comprehensive collection of brief articles covering a wide range of topics related to health care for older people, including information on health and mental health conditions that are common among older adults, changes associated with aging, communicating with health care providers, making health care decisions, and dealing with insurance. To easily find information on a variety of health topics related to aging, click on "Topics at a Glance."

http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/default.asp

American Geriatrics Foundation

American Geriatrics Foundation will provide a list of geriatric physicians in your area if you submit an online Physician Referral Request form; this site also has links to Aging in the Know (health information) and Elder Care at Home (for caregivers).

http://www.healthinaging.org/

American Urological Association

This site has a well organized section with information on many urological conditions or diseases that may lead to incontinence, as well as a "Find a Urologist" tool. The site has a web based Spanish translation feature.

http://www.urologyhealth.org

Healthfinder

This is a gateway to health information web sites provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

http://www.healthfinder.gov/

HelpGuide.org

This site has a section on "Seniors and Aging" which provides information on a variety of health and caregiving issues, including an overview of geriatric assessment, which can be found under "Senior Housing and Care."

http://www.helpguide.org/ (Information about geriatric assessment can be found at http://www.helpguide.org/elder/geriatric_assessment.htm)

Mayo Clinic

This web site provides information on a variety of diseases, treatments, and services. Click on the alphabetized topics list. The site has a translation feature for Spanish and other languages.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/

National Library of Medicine

This National Institutes of Health web site provides tips on finding health information and links to reliable health information for the public; click on "The Public." The site is also provided in Spanish.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

NetWellness

Sponsored by three universities in Ohio, this site provides health information for consumers. Click on "Senior Health" for topics related to aging. Each topic has an option to "ask an expert" of a health care professional. Previous questions and answers can also be viewed.

http://www.netwellness.org/

NIH Senior Health

The National Institute on Aging provides brief overviews of a range of health and caregiving issues related to aging.

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/listoftopics.html

Positive Aging Resource Center

The Positive Aging Resource Center, sponsored by a hospital and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has a section for "Older Adults and Caregivers." The site focuses on ways to promote physical and mental health. It targets anyone who is experiencing changes in health or caregiving roles. It offers information and ideas for exercising despite limitations, staying active and socially connected, and dealing with depression and other mental health issues.

http://www.positiveaging.org

Talking with Your Doctor: A Guide for Older People

By visiting this site, visitors can place an order to receive their FREE copy of the new, revised edition of the National Institute on Aging's "Talking with Your Doctor" booklet, which provides readers with worksheets, and offers many tips and suggestions.

http://www.niapublications.org/pubs/talking/index.asp

Urinary Incontinence from the Urology Channel

The Urology Channel's site on incontinence offers visitors treatment and management options, as well as quizzes and videos to help caregivers and those suffering from incontinence better understand the condition.

http://www.urologychannel.com/incontinence/

Medication Management

Drug Digest

This site can has information about specific drugs and drug interactions, as well as recent news on drugs. Please consult with your pharmacist or doctor for more information regarding any medications.

http://www.drugdigest.org/

Geriatric Essential Tools: Evaluating Medication Regimens

Walgreens Continuing Education Web Site is intended to be used by pharmacists and provides an overview of how medications that may negatively affect geriatric patients. Please consult with your pharmacist or doctor for more information regarding any medications.

https://webapp.walgreens.com/cePharmacy/programsHTML/2-medication.pdf

RxList

This site, provided by Web MD, has information about specific drugs, side effects and costs. Please consult with your pharmacist or doctor for more information regarding any medications.

http://www.rxlist.com

SENIORmedsafety

Sponsored by the National Council on Aging and the Quigley Foundation, this site provides information on drug interactions and side effects for older adults, as well as safety tips managing and taking prescription medications. Please consult with your pharmacist or doctor for more information regarding any medications.

http://www.senior-med-safety.com

Organizations and Resources for Caregivers

Alzheimer's Association's Carefinder

The Alzheimer's Association's Carefinder offers an interactive care planning tool for dementia caregivers.

http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_carefinder.asp

The Caregiver's Home Companion

This private publishing company provides a caregiving newsletter (with archived issues), an online "ask an expert" feature, and a searchable national resource directory.

http://www.caregivershome.com/community/askexpert.cfm

Caregivers' Self Help Tools

The CaregiverPA site, developed by Penn State Gerontology Center, provides forms to help organize important documents and information about your loved one. It includes a tool for assessing your loved one's abilities in order to plan for care. From the home page, click on "Caregiving Resources" and then "Caregiving Self Help Tools." The site also provides a glossary of terms in the field of elder care, an ask an expert feature, and a searchable database of services in Pennsylvania.

http://caregiverpa.psu.edu (The Caregiving Self Help Tools can be found at http://caregiverpa.psu.edu/careinfo/selfhelp/selfhelp.htm)

Caregiving 101

http://caregiving101.org/LessonContent/m3/m3l1.asp

Caregiving Online

This web site is provided by a private caregiving "coach" in Park Ridge Illinois, and includes articles and other free features. There is a charge for some online components and additional services and the site allows advertisements by other companies.

http://www.caregiving.com/

CarePages

CarePages follows the "blog" format in that it serve as a virtual meeting place on the web where caregivers, Care Teams, and families can share news and photos. It is also a good way to give and receive online emotional support. Signing up for and managing your CarePage is FREE!

http://www.carepages.com/home.jsp

Chicago CAREgiver Magazine

Chicago CAREgiver magazine's site offers a comprehensive list of local and national organizations designed to help caregivers and their families, and contact information on a variety of support groups is listed. The website also gives visitors the ability to subscribe to the magazine, as well as a way of obtaining back issues.

http://www.chicagocaregiver.com

Children of Aging Parents

The Children of Aging Parents website provides visitors with a caregiver guide, weblinks, and information on local support groups.

http://www.caps4caregivers.org/

Elder Care At Home

The American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health In Aging provides an online guide for caregivers which deals with a variety of health issues; click on "Elder Care at Home."

http://www.healthinaging.org/ (The guide can be accessed directly at http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/eldercare/)

ElderCare Online

This site provides a variety of forums and articles on caregiving issues, many of which are related to caring for someone with dementia.

http://www.ec-online.net/

Family Caregiving 101

Family Caregiving 101 is a website that has been designed as a tool for caregivers to help with "self-acknowledgement." In addition to education and support, this site has information on caregiver policy and networking.

http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/empowerment/fc101.cfm

Family Caregiver Alliance

Family Caregiver Alliance serves as an advocate for all family caregivers throughout the US. It's site provides visitors with tips and fact sheets for caregivers and their loved ones, federal and state-specific policy information, a caregiver email listserve, and access to their free quarterly newsletter.

http://www.caregiver.org

Family Caregiver Alliance: Caregiver Programs

This section of the Family Caregiver Alliance website provides visitors with a searchable database that allows you to search for state-specific, publicly-funded caregiver programs offered in the US.

http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=1274

Family Caregivers Online

Sponsored by three area agencies on aging in Texas, this site provides fact sheets, worksheets, and educational modules on a wide variety of issues ranging from day to day caregiving tasks, finding services and resources, to health and mental health issues.

http://www.familycaregiversonline.com/

For Caregivers: Handbook and Resource Guide

This handbook focuses on four stages of caregiving, and provides suggestions to help you as you move through each of the stages.

http://www.agingcarefl.org/caregiver

The Four Stages of Caregiving

The Four Stages of Caregiving breaks down the act of caregiving into four distinct stages, giving background information on each, as well as suggestions to help you as you move through each of the stages.

http://www.agingcarefl.org/care giver/fourStages

Full Circle of Care

The Full Circle of Care from the Triangle J Area Agency on Aging in North Carolina provides a wealth of information on a wide range of issues related to caregiving including: screening tools for assessing a family members needs, issues related to caregiving tasks and roles, types of services and benefits, legal, financial and health issues and more.

http://www.fullcirclecare.org/index.shtml

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson provides an online caregiving manual, "café" chat rooms as well as information on health conditions, daily care, housing options, and insurance, legal, financial and end of life issues.

http://www.strengthforcaring.com/

Lotsa Helping Hands

Lotsa Helping Hands is a simple and FREE way for friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to assist loved ones in need. It's a private web-based group calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers, where everyone can pitch in with meal deliveries, rides, and other necessary caregiving tasks.

http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/

Maine Primary Partners in Caregiving Project

This project provides an online manual and fact sheets for caregivers on topics such as depression, loss of intimacy, and men as caregivers. It is a joint effort of Maine's Eastern Area Agency on Aging and the University of Maine Center on Aging. From the home page of the Center on aging, click on Publications and Reports and scroll down to the Maine Primary Partners in Caregiving section.

http://www.umaine.edu/mainecenteronaging/ (For a fact sheet on loss of Intimacy: http://www.umaine.edu/mainecenteronaging/documents/Tip4IntimacyFamily.pdf)

National Family Caregiver's Association

The National Family Caregivers Association offers tips and information for caregivers that is particularly helpful for understanding service options, getting support, managing care, and communicating with health and service professionals.

http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/ed/tips.cfm

National Alliance for Caregiving

The National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of grassroots organizations, professional associations, service organizations, disease-specific organizations, a government agency, and corporations focusing on issues of family caregiving. The site provides caregiver tips, the "Family Caregiver 101" guide, and a searchable database of nationwide resources called "AXA Foundation Family Care Resource Connection."

http://www.caregiving.org/index.htm (NAC's searchable database can be found at http://www.caregiving.org/fcrc.htm.)

National Institute on Aging's Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers

http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Caregiving/HomeAndFamily/

NIH Senior Health: Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/listoftopics.html

The Northwest Regional Council

The Northwest Regional Council for several counties in Washington Sate provides a wide variety of brief caregiver fact sheets on topics ranging from aging, family issues, day to day caregiving tasks and decisions, care arrangements, self care and more.

http://www.nwrcwa.org/caregiving/caregiving.html

Senior Connections

This web site, provided by the Central Massachusetts Area Agency on Aging, offers brief videos on specific caregiving tasks as well as caregiving in general. Click on "Family Caregiver Support Program" to find a Caregiver Guide that provides descriptions of different types of services and a downloadable packet of forms called the Caregiver Organizer (medical, legal and contact information). Click on Information and Referral and then "Helpful Information and Forms" for other checklists. Click on "Connections for Caregivers" for links to archived articles, fact sheets and other educational materials as wellas scheduled online support groups and 24 hour caregiver chat rooms. The Caregiver Organizer is provided in Spanish and Russian, as well as other languages.

http://www.seniorconnection.org ( Caregiver Guide can be found at http://www.seniorconnection.org/pdf/web_cgg04_minus_hcp.pdf and Caregiver Organizer can be found at http://www.seniorconnection.org/pdf/caregivers_organizer/English_organizer.pdf)

Share the Care

http://www.sharethecare.org/index.html

Terra Nova Films

Terra Nova Films in Chicago is the world leader in the production and distribution of films dedicated exclusively to aging and caregiving issues. Terra Nova provides online video clips of some of their films, an overview of their catalogue, and online order forms for their films

http://www.terranova.org

United States Department of Health and Human Services: Women's Health/Caregiver Stress

The United States Department of Health and Human Services's Women's Health/Caregiver Stress site presents itself in a "frequently asked questions" format and provides links to information on a variety of caregiver issues such as how to locate respite care, how to pay for home health care, and how to locate caregiver services in the community. While it is labeled as a women's site, the information provided is applicable to both men and women.

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/caregiver.htm

Well Spouse Association

The Well Spouse Association site designed for caregivers who are caring for a spouse. The site provides information on becoming a member. Benefits of becoming a member include access to respite weekends with other Well Spouse members, publications, natiowide support groups, and chat rooms.

http://www.wellspouse.org

Wisconsin Alliance for Family Caregivers

The Alliance is a network of individuals with a common goal of educating, connecting and supporting organizations and individuals who work with family caregivers. Their page on "Caregiver Resources" offers links to "Caregiver Reading" that provides fact sheets on a variety of topics. The page on "Caregiver Education" also has a searchable database of classes for caregivers in the state of Wisconsin.

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/flp/caregiving/index.cf

Long Distance Caregiving

Aging Parents and Common Sense

Aging Parents and Common Sense is a downloadable guide for adult children and is particularly relevant for "long distance" caring. It covers: maintaining communication with an aging parent, how to gather important documents and information in preparation for becoming more involved in an aging parent's life, general orientation to health care issues, particularly regarding normal aging as opposed to when something might be a problem...when to be concerned, general orientation to housing options, dealing with financial and legal affairs, the most common challenges of long distance care, and a bibliography of other resources on these topics.

http://www.axa-financial.com/axa_foundation/Aging_Parents.pdf

So Far Away: Twenty Questions for Long Distance Caregivers

This guide focuses on some of the issues unique to long-distance caregiving. Developed by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, this booklet provides users with ideas and resources that can help make long-distance caregiving more manageable.

http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/LongDistanceCaregiving

Communicating with the Person for Whom You Care

Aging Parents and Common Sense

Aging Parents and Common Sense is a downloadable guide for adult children and is particularly relevant for "long distance" caring. It addresses maintaining communication with an aging parent.

http://www.axa-financial.com/axa_foundation/Aging_Parents.pdf

Alzheimer's Association's Fact Sheet on Holidays

Holidays focuses on how to best prepare visitors and your loved one for holiday events.

http://www.alz.org/documents/national/FSHolidays.pd

Alzheimer's Association's Fact Sheet on Visiting

Thprovides tips on how to plan for visits and prepare visitors and how to prepare for visiting other person’s home. It also includes tips on visiting older people who are living in nursing homes and communicating with a physician. One focuses on preparing family members for holiday visits.

http://www.alz.org/documents/national/FSVisiting.pdf

Communicating with Impaired Elderly Persons

This article from ElderCare Online provides tips on how to communicate with someone who has hearing loss.

http://www.ec-online.net/Knowledge/Articles/communication.html

Communicating with an Elderly Loved One

This article from Johnson and Johnson offers advice regarding communication strategies for talking with an older person who may have various impairments.

http://www.strengthforcaring.com/manual/stress-relief-com

Services and Benefits for Older Adults

Resources Related to Modules

Disease-Specific and Health Care Resources

Caregiver Information and Resources

Other Care Alternatives

City of Chicago Services and Benefits

Chicago Metropolitan Area Services and Benefits

Illinois Statewide Services and Benefits

National

Driving and Transportation

Nationwide Directories for Services and Caregiver Resources

Communication Techniques for Dementia

Home Modification and Assistive Products

Identifying Depression in a Loved One

Helping Your Loved One to Avoid Falls

Care Teams

Hiring Help

Financial, Legal, and Health Care Decisions

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders

Parkinson's Disease

Stroke

Health Care and Aging

Medication Management

Organizations and Resources for Caregivers

Long Distance Caregiving

Communicating with the Person for Whom You Care