Caregiving

Return to the topics list at any time by clicking Resources on the left-hand menu. 

Balance programs

http://www.eblcprograms.org/
The Evidence-Based Leadership Council provides information on various evidence-based health promotion programs including falls prevention programs.

Home safety tips

https://www.n4a.org/files/PreventingFalls.pdf
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the Administration on Aging provide checklists to make your home safer. Contact the Elder Locator and Rebuilding Together affiliate to find local community resources including assistance for low-income adults to modify their living space.

Falls prevention tips

https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website provides fall prevention information and educational materials for patients that can benefit you as well.

https://www.cdc.gov
In the search box in the upper right-hand corner, type “check for safety” to find the link to the Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist PDF. This checklist is easy to use to check if you have any fall hazards at home.

https://medlineplus.gov/
This is a website that offers trustworthy health information. You can find more information about fall prevention by typing “fall prevention” in the search box in the upper right-hand corner.

Managing caregiver emotion supports and safety

https://www.caregiver.va.gov
The VA Caregiver Support website provides caregiver support toolbox to help manage emotion and physical burden.

Medical alert systems

http://www.aarp.org
AARP offers specific tips for choosing the right medical alert system. Search for “Medical Alert” using the search box in the upper right-hand corner on the home page.

Nutrition

https://www.eatright.org/
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/coping/nutrition/benefits.html
American Cancer Society

https://diabetes.org/food-nutrition
American Diabetes Association

https://diabetes.org/food-nutrition/eating-healthy
American Diabetes Association Create My Plate

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating
American Heart Association

https://www.cspinet.org
Center for Science in the Public Interest.

https://www.nal.usda.gov/programs/fnic
Food and Nutrition Information Center

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/
Harvard School of Public Health

https://www.foodinsight.org
International Food Information Council Foundation

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/basics/nutrition-basics/hlv-20049477
Mayo Clinic, “Nutrition and Healthy Eating"

https://universityhealthnews.com/health-publications/
University Health News

https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/basic-nutrition/online-tools
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Online nutrition tools

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/cooking.pdf 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Heart Healthy Home Cooking, African American Style.”

https://www.myplate.gov/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

https://www.caregiver.va.gov/
Veterans Administration Caregiver Support 

https://www.nutrition.va.gov/ 
Nutrition and Health information

Getting and Finding Help

AgingCare – https://www.agingcare.com

CaringBridge - http://www.caringbridge.org/

Caring.com - https://www.caring.com

PatientsLikeMe - https://www.patientslikeme.com/

Psych Central - https://www.psychcentral.com/

Veterans Administration Caregiver Support page: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/

Planning for the Future

https://caringcommunity.org/self-help/compendiumsguides/growth-house/
Caring Community

Specific programs

http://www.mainehealth.org/mob
A Matter of Balance addresses fear of falling and emphasizes practical coping strategies to reduce fear of falling in an eight-session program. 

https://www.steppingon.com/
Stepping On is a Seven-week program designed for people who are living at home and have experienced a fall or are concerned about falling.

http://www.sailfitness.org/
Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is a strength, balance, and group fitness program taught three times per week on an ongoing basis. Balance education tips are incorporated into the program.

http://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/programs/tai-chi-for-arthritis/
Tai Chi for Arthritis is a 16-session program held once or twice weekly for people with arthritis or pain to reduce fall risk.

https://tjqmbb.org/
Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance is a 24-week program held twice weekly. A DVD is available for home practice.

http://www.med.unc.edu/aging/cgec/exercise-program
The Otago Exercise program is an individualized program often taught by a physical therapist that consists of 17 leg muscle strengthening and balance exercises to prevent falls. Walking and flexibility exercises are part of the program.

Videos

A male caregiver with Parkinson's talking about being a caregiver for his Mother. 

• - Dance for PD » Winter Stars: Reading and Conversation

  Dance for PD is proud to share this intimate conversation with Dave Iverson – familiar to many in our extended global family as the writer and director of the documentary Capturing Grace – as he discusses his highly-anticipated new memoir Winter Stars, the intimate story of an elderly mom, an aging son, and life’s final journey. This conversation took place live on January 19, 2021.