When a person needs help it’s surprising that few know of the local relief and services to call. There are many non-profits designed to help seniors in need and their family caregivers. However, when asked, “Do you know who to call for help when in a crunch for a ride or for food?” In my experience, I find consumers at a loss and challenged to locate local help. Local Non-Profits Providing Senior Care Help
Since November is National Caregiver Month, it’s important to acknowledge the work that families give. I was a caregiver for my parents, so, I have experienced the challenges. To alleviate some of the burden, here is a list of places to go or call if needed. Typically, the most wanted services deals with issues like,
- Housing
- Personal care with daily living
- Case Management
- Transportation
- Meals
- Social Isolation
- Legal support
- Day care
- Emergencies
- Support
- Financial assistance
The Aging Council at Seniorcare.com offered several “go-to” sources when in need of care. The thought leaders say, “When a senior or family caregiver struggles with a crises or medical event, or has another issue they can’t figure out on their own, usually, there are two or three local resources that adults can turn to for a resolution.” Here are several the experts recommend:
Anthony Cirillo, The Aging Experience, “In Charlotte we have a great resource called Just One Call, a one-stop source of information and assistance for seniors and adults with disabilities. Feeding America can point you to food banks to address food insecurity. And the Salvation Army has an arm devoted to elderly services.”
Donna Schempp, “Family Caregiver Alliance provides links or a specialist to talk to who can give people information on services anywhere in the United States. All communities have a local Area Agency on Aging and should be the first place to call when needing help. Faith communities are also a good source of support and referrals for needed services.”
Michelle Jeong, LifeAssist, “Two organizations come to mine, www.sfvillage.org = great on and offline resource based in San Francisco, CA and Meals on Wheels.”
Violet Swenson, LTC Global Agency, “Three significant local resources in Florida to consider are: Florida Highway Patrol (disaster assistance for natural calamities), WebMD (for diseases & treatment), and NCOA (public policy & action services). Seniors need to prioritize their safety, make sure that they are properly diagnosed and are receiving the right medication, and have a voice in their community.”
David Inns, GreatCall, Inc., “The Family Caregiver Alliance (Caregiver.org) has an interactive map where you can click your state, and it will guide you to local resources. The Eldercare Locator (Eldercare.gov) is a service that allows users to search for resources and information. The Family Caregiver Council (FamilyCaregiverCouncil.com) is a great place to start as it has links for all aspects of family caregiving.”
Scot Cheben, CaregivingAnswers.com, “Churches, Meals on Wheels and other local support groups have their limitations. The internet doesn’t have borders. Most states have a Department of Elder Affairs or something similar available online. The internet will give you access to a wider variety if information that might be available. CaregivingAnswers.com gives you the opportunity to have your questions answered by a professional.”
Connie Chow, Daily Caring, “During a crisis, if you need immediate help, reach out to people who understand the system and know how to get fast, effective results. I recommend an in-home care company or on-demand caregiving service for in-person help, a geriatric care manager for complex situations, and the county’s Area Agency on Aging to get connected to helpful local resources and services.”