List of Resources
| Name: Alzheimer's Association |
| Site Address: alz.org |
| Phone: 800-272-3900 |
| Helps With: Helps with information, education, support groups, care planning, a 24/7 helpline, and resources for families living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. |
| Name: Family Caregiver Alliance |
| Site Address: caregiver.org |
| Phone: 800-445-8106 |
| Helps With: Education, caregiver support, planning tools, fact sheets, and resources for family caregivers. |
| Name: Eldercare Locator |
| Site Address: eldercare.acl.gov |
| Phone: 800-677-1116 |
| Helps With: A free public service that connects older adults and caregivers with local services, including Area Agencies on Aging, transportation, meal programs, legal assistance, and caregiver support. |
| Name: Medicare |
| Site Address: medicare.gov |
| Phone: 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) |
| Helps With: Official information about Medicare coverage, enrollment, providers, and benefits. |
| Name: California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division |
| Site Address: California Care Facility Search |
| Phone: No phone number provided |
| Description: Search engine to help you find individual care facilities. |
| Name: California Long Term Ombudsman Program |
| Site Address: California Long Term Care Ombudsman Program |
| Phone: Statewide Ombudsman Hotline: 1-800-231-4024 |
| Description: Long-term care ombudsman representatives assist residents in long-term care facilities with issues related to day-to-day care, health, safety, and personal preferences. |
15 Things We Wish Families Knew Earlier
Excerpt from Sarah Calderón’s book, Helping Families Navigate Aging With Confidence- A Practical Guide for Navigating the Journey of Aging.
These suggestions may feel uncomfortable or even a little intrusive. I understand that. Most of us were raised to respect our parents' privacy and independence. But as parents age, knowing this information before a crisis can make an enormous difference. These aren't questions to ask because you're taking control. They're questions to ask because one day you may need the answers.
How to advocate for your parent with doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.
What medications your parent takes, why they take them, and where to find an up-to-date list.
The names and contact information of your parent's physicians and specialists.
The medical conditions your parent has been diagnosed with and how those conditions affect daily life.
Where important legal documents are kept, including wills, advance health care directives, durable powers of attorney, trusts, insurance policies, and other essential paperwork. Ensuring there’s a durable power of attorney in place before your parent doesn’t have the legal capacity.
How your parent's finances are organized, including monthly income, recurring expenses, bank accounts, and who would be able to access that information if necessary.
What your parent's wishes are if they can no longer live safely at home.
Whether your parent has talked about the type of medical care they would or would not want if they became seriously ill.
How to begin conversations with siblings before a crisis occurs so responsibilities, expectations, and communication are discussed while everyone can participate calmly.
The differences between rehabilitation, home health, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and hospice—and when each might become appropriate.
How Medicare, supplemental insurance, long-term care insurance, and private pay fit into the decisions families eventually face.
Why it is important to begin planning before a crisis instead of waiting until decisions must be made under pressure.
How to recognize when your parent may need additional support while still respecting their independence and dignity.
The value of asking questions, taking notes, and becoming an active participant in your parent's care rather than assuming someone else will guide every decision.
That you don't have to know everything today. You only need to know enough to make the next good decision.