Caregiver and Patient Resources

Get resources, stories, and newsletters about taking care of someone with Medicare. If you're one of the nearly 66 million Americans caring for an aging, seriously  ill, or disabled family member or friend, we're here to help make your life a little easier.

When caregiving becomes too much to bear, ask for help

Nearly 44 million unpaid caregivers form the backbone of the US chronic and long-term care system. These hard working family members provide care to injured veterans, aging adults, children with special needs, and individuals with chronic medical needs. Currently, 72% of caregivers take care of someone 50 or older. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, the number of people who need care will continue to swell.
 
The National Alliance for Caregiving offers a variety of materials to support family caregivers, ranging from booklets and tip sheets to webcasts and conference materials. All of these can be found in this resources section.

The Caregiver Action Network is the nation's leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 65 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.

Years ago, Charlie, a highly respected orthopedist and a mentor of mine, found a lump in his stomach. It was diagnosed as pancreatic cancer by one of the best surgeons in the country, who had developed a procedure that could triple a patient's five-year-survival odds-from 5% to 15%-albeit with a poor quality of life.

Delirium in older adults often goes unrecognized by health care professionals. Studies have shown that up to 67% of delirium cases were not recognized by physicians and 43% of cases were not recognized by nurses caring for the patients.* It often begins quite suddenly. The symptoms tend to come and go, and often increase at night.

A frequent problem expressed among adult children is that their parents aren't truthful with their doctors. While the parent may complain at home of pain, exhibit memory problems and accuse family of theft when he or she can't locate a commonly used item, the moment the parent faces their doctor a change occurs.

Many people are unprepared to deal with the legal and financial consequences of a serious illness such as Alzheimer's disease. This USA NIA Fact Sheet is a great place to start. Legal and medical experts encourage people recently diagnosed with a serious illness-particularly one that is expected to cause declining mental and physical health-to examine and update their financial and health care arrangements as soon as possible.

Advice for caregivers about treatments and tests for seniors If you are caring for an aging relative or friend, you want to help all you can. You may urge ...