Care partners are a vital source of support and assistance to those living with chronic illnesses like MS, and it’s important to realize that they need just as much care and support for themselves in order to maintain that role of care partner to others. Self-care often falls by the wayside as burnout and exhaustion from daily caregiving tasks overpowers all else; that is why calling out some of the crucial resources and services available to care partners is so important. In a previous post we talked about some of MSAA’s resources for care partners, so we thought it would help to expand on this to include some other types of community sources of assistance.
Offices of Aging and Disability Services:
These offices provide resources and services for caregivers that include respite care, homecare assistance and other community programs. Individuals can search by location for this office contact:
https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
Centers for Independent Living:
These centers offer information and referral services as well as some direct programs to those living with disabilities and are a good source of information to caregivers. To find one’s nearest location they can search by state/city/county here:
http://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory
ARCH National Respite Network:
Resource providing a respite services locator, funding and caregiver support contacts, webinars and publications for caregiver needs:
Family Caregiver Alliance:
Organization that does policy and advocacy work for caregiver needs; they also offer caregiver education, online support groups and links to state by state resources:
Caregiver Action Network:
An organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country:
Veterans Caregiver Support:
Support resources and tools are provided to those caring for veterans. Resources are also provided for specific conditions that include MS:
https://www.caregiver.va.gov/Tips_by_Diagnosis/MS.asp
