So Far Away cover
So Far Away:
Twenty Questions for Long-Distance Caregivers
Introduction
1. What is long-distance caregiving?
2. How will I know if help is needed?
3. What can I really do from far away?
4. How can my family decide who does what?
5. Are there things I can do that will help me feel less frustrated?
6. What is a geriatric care manager and how can I find one?
7. How can I keep up with my mom’s medical and health care?
8. How can I make the most of a visit with my parent's doctor?
9. How on earth can my parents afford everything they need?
10. What kinds of documents do we need?
11. Should I encourage my parents to get more help?
12. How can we make the house safer for my mother who has Alzheimer's disease?
13. How can I lighten the load for my mother?
14. How can I help my folks decide if it's time for them to move?
15. What happens if my mother gets too sick to stay at home?
16. How is it that long-distance caregiving makes me feel so guilty all the time?
17. How can I be sure my father's caregiver isn't mistreating him?
18. How can I help my parents think about their future health care preferences?
19. What is the difference between an advance directive and a living will?
20. What if I'm told my mom only has a few months to live?
» Resources: Where to Turn for Help
 
National Institute on Aging > Health > Publications > So Far Away: Twenty Questions for Long-Distance Caregivers
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Resources: Where to Turn for Help

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
NIA offers free information on a wide variety of subjects, in English and Spanish, including doctor/patient communication, end-of-life care, the biology of aging, and Alzheimer’s disease. NIA also publishes more than 40 different Age Pages and, in conjunction with the National Library of Medicine, produces www.NIHSeniorHealth.gov, an easy-to-use website designed especially for older people.

National Institute on Aging Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
Phone: 1-800-222-2225 (toll-free)
TTY: 1-800-222-4225 (toll-free)
Website: www.nia.nih.gov
To order publications (in English or Spanish) online or sign up for email alerts, visit: www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation.

Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)
A service of NIA, the ADEAR Center offers free publications and information on diagnosis, treatment, patient care, caregiver needs, long-term care, education and training, and research related to Alzheimer’s disease.

P.O. Box 8250
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250
Phone: 1-800-438-4380 (toll-free)
Website: www.alzheimers.nia.nih.gov

Administration on Aging (AoA)
AoA provides funds and community-based services for programs that serve older adults.

Phone: 202-619-0724
Website: www.aoa.gov

Alzheimer’s Association
A national voluntary health organization supporting Alzheimer’s research and care, the Association offers information and support to patients and families.

225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17
Chicago, IL 60601-7633
Phone: 1-800-272-3900 (toll-free)
Website: www.alz.org

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
This trade association for not-for-profit nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living, senior housing facilities, and community service organizations offers information for consumers and families.

2519 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008-1520
Phone: 202-783-2242
Website: www.aahsa.org

ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center
This national resource center provides resources and information, including a respite locator program, technical assistance to State organizations, and an information clearinghouse.

800 Eastowne Drive, Suite 105
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: 1-800-473-1727, ext. 222 (toll-free)
Website: www.archrespite.org

BenefitsCheckUp
An online service provided by the National Council on Aging, this program allows people to find programs that can help them meet health care costs.

Website: www.benefitscheckup.org

Caregiver Resource Directory
Offered by Beth Israel Medical Center, this guide offers resources, facts, and advice about caring for a family member, as well as the caregiver.

Website: www.netofcare.org/crd/resource_form.asp

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS is a Federal agency that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with the States to administer Medicaid.

7400 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
Phone: 1-800-633-4227 (toll-free)
TTY: 1-866-226-1919 (toll-free)
Website: www.cms.hhs.gov

Children of Aging Parents
This organization provides information, referral services, and educational outreach.

P.O. Box 167
Richboro, PA 18954
Phone: 1-800-227-7294 (toll-free)
Website: www.caps4caregivers.org

Eldercare Locator
This nationwide service helps identify local resources for seniors.

Phone: 1-800-677-1116 (toll-free)
Website: www.eldercare.gov

Family Caregiver Alliance
The Alliance provides information, education, services, research, and advocacy for caregivers.

180 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: 1-800-445-8106 (toll-free)
Website: www.caregiver.org

Hospice Foundation of America
The Foundation promotes hospice care and educates professionals and families about issues related to caregiving, terminal illness, loss, and bereavement.

1621 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 300
Washington DC 20009
Phone: 1-800-854-3402 (toll-free)
Website: www.hospicefoundation.org

National Alliance for Caregiving
The Alliance supports family caregivers and the professionals who help them and works to increase public awareness of issues facing family caregivers. The website features peer-reviewed links to other resources for family caregivers.

4720 Montgomery Lane, 5th Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Website: www.caregiving.org

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
The Association offers information and referral services.

1604 North Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716-3102
Phone: 520-881-8008
Website: www.caremanager.org

National Center on Elder Abuse
The Center promotes understanding and action on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

1201 15th Street, NW
Suite 350
Washington, DC 20005-2842
Phone: 202-898-2586
Website: www.ncea.aoa.gov

National Family Caregivers Association
This group supports family caregivers and offers education, information, and referrals.

10400 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 500
Kensington, MD 20895-3944
Phone: 1-800-896-3650 (toll-free)
Website: www.nfcacares.org

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
This professional association for hospices has resources and information for the public.

1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 625
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 1-800-658-8898 (toll-free)
Website: www.nhpco.org

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
This program helps qualified people who lack prescription coverage to get needed medicines.

Phone: 1-888-477-2669 (toll-free)
Website: www.pparx.org

Well Spouse Association
The Association is a national, nonprofit membership organization providing support to wives, husbands, and partners of chronically ill and/or disabled people.

63 West Main Street, Suite H
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: 1-800-838-0879 (toll-free)
Website: www.wellspouse.org


Writer: Janice Lynch Shuster
Cover artist: Kiki Felix
Designer: Crabtree Co.
Project Management: JBS International

Please send comments, suggestions or ideas to:
Freddi Karp, Editor
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute on Aging
Building 31, Room 5C27
Bethesda, MD 20892
301-496-1752
karpf@nia.nih.gov

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Page last updated Feb 27, 2008