Tips for Caregivers

1. Find others to help you
   Tap into help at local aging and disability resource centers listed on www.eldercare.gov and www.maine.gov/dhhs/oes/
   Insurance company nurse care managers provided by the older adult's insurer
   Your doctor’s nurse care manager
   Use one of these tools to request assistance from friends and relatives who want to help you out - www.caringbridge.org, www.ehope.nu, www.lotsahelpinghands.org
   
   
2. Get emotional support
   Connect with other caregivers on-line at www.thefamilycaregiver.org
   Connect with other caregivers near you through your local Area Agency on Aging Maine AAAs
   Seek professional mental health services if necessary
   
   
3. Take care of your own health
   Follow the preventive/chronic care guidelines found here
   Select high quality healthcare providers for yourself here
   
   
4. Talk to the person you are helping about what they really want and when and then write their wishes out.  These documents should help make it easier to put wishes in writing are legally enforceable in Maine
   www.extension.org/pages/Communicate_Your_Advance_Directives_for_Health_Care:_Print_this_Lesson 
    www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3289
   
   
5. Know before you go.  Select high quality providers from this site to reduce the need for additional healthcare services for the person you are helping
   www.getbettermaine.org/
   
   
6. Bring a tape recorder with you when you go on a medical appointment, so you can refresh your memory and that of the person you are helping
   

More tips can be found at www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/4204.pdf
and www.caregivinginmaine.org/