Need information on caregiving?

This list was posted on MEDREF-L, compiled by Lynne Fox from several contributors.

Medlineplus Caregivers
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/caregivers.html
This site links to caregiver resources at the respected NLM portal to consumer health information. It is also in Spanish at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/caregivers.html.

Intellihealth Caregiving
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9030/9030.html?k=zonex408x9030%20
Advice from Harvard Medical School's consumer health website.

American Society on Aging ASA
http://www.asaging.org/
A nonprofit organisation committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of those working with older adults and their families.

Family and Caregiver Financial Planning
http://www.aging.pitt.edu/family-caregivers/services/financial-planning.asp
Guidance for caregivers on planning for the payment of present and future medical and living expenses from the Institute on Aging.

Family Caregiver Alliance
http://www.caregiver.org/
Information, services and support for caregivers and families of loved ones with long-term, chronic and terminal conditions. Includes "Hot Topics" and "Fact Sheets" on various conditions (such as dementia, Parkinson's Disease, and stroke) and issues (including end-of-life decision making, assistive devices, and behavior management strategies for dementia patients). The site also hosts several online support groups for caregivers. It includes information in Spanish and Chinese.

Administration on Aging Elders and Families
http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/eldfam.asp
Although not as easy to navigate as some other sites, the Administration on Aging does have a number of very useful resources and links, including the ElderCare Locator (under How to Find Help), a thorough, practical and compassionate guide for caregivers. Fact Sheets with information for seniors ranging from assistive technology to nutrition to Alzheimer's disease, can be found under Press Room. Includes information in Spanish, Russian and Chinese.

Health and Age
http://www.healthandage.com/
Produced by the Novartis Foundation for Gerontology, this site provides information on a variety of topics related to the process of aging. In addition to basic information on a number of common conditions, health issues, and diseases, the site offers medical news updates, and a primer on aging suitable for use by the health care provider as well as the layperson.
Sources for the information on the site include peer-reviewed medical journals, reviews of topical subjects by recognized experts, and personal experiences reported by patients, caregivers and friends.

The AGS (American Geriatrics Society) Foundation for Health in Aging
http://www.healthinaging.org/
This site offers information for the public as well as health care professionals regarding the health and care of older adults. Resources include online guides for caregiving at home, information on Medicare, a physician referral service, and access to the FHA Directory of Agencies and Organizations Addressing the Special Health Care Needs of Older Adults (under Directory).
The Aging In the Know linked site includes the What to Ask series, which helps patients know what to discuss with their health care providers.

CarePages
http://www.carepages.com/
CarePages is a free, personal, private Web page that helps family and friends communicate when someone is receiving care. Recommended by the University of Colorado Hospital's Cancer Center.

CaringBridge
http://www.caringbridge.org/
CaringBridge offers free, easy-to-create web sites that help connect friends and family when they need it most.

theStatus
http://www.thestatus.com/
theStatus provides Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish language secure, private, web pages with the purpose of maintaining communication between family and friends about illnesses, treatment, and recovery.