CAREGIVING

Caregivers are categorized in two basic groups. The first is persons who care for elders, most often relatives. The second group are grandparents (and great grandparents) who are raising their grandchildren. In both cases, the caregivers and their families must regroup and meet the new issues that everyday life presents.

Caregiving can be very difficult. Caregivers must find a way to balance their personal needs, and the stress of caregiving, with the needs of the care recipient. Often there are significant emotional challenges to the family, the caregiver, and those needing care. The challenges are many and they are as varied as the problems that caregivers confront. Fortunately there are many excellent resources now for caregivers in local agencies, support groups, online, and in print.

PSA 8 CAREGIVER CONTACTS

  • Case Coordination Unit
    The CCU is designed to be a comprehensive diagnostic and case management resource for the elderly in PSA 8. Contact them at the Southwestern Illinois VNA, phone CCU 618-236-5863 or e-mail them for more information.

  • Senior Services Legal Asstance Project
    A program if Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation provides legal advice to senior citizens in PSA 8 on various matters that may be related to caregiving. Contact them at 618/398-0958 or by e-mail for more information.

  • Long Term Care Ombudsman Project
    Another Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Fund program is focused on promoting quality of care in nursing homes though family councils. Contact them at 618/398-0958 or by e-mail for more information.

  • Caregiver Counseling
    In-home, Mental Health, Counseling for Caregivers of Persons 60 or Older.


    FY 2008 Caregiver Counseling Grantees

    • COMMUNITY COUNSELING CENTER
    Ms. Karen Sopronyi, Executive Director
    Stacy Rhodes, Counseling Contact
    2615 Edwards
    Alton, IL 62002
    618-462-2331 x 412
    Fax 618-462-2504
    kasopronyi@cccnmc.org
    www.cccnmc.org
    (Serving Bond & Madison counties)

    COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
    Denise Daum, Director
    Jean Nobsich, Counseling Contact
    101 South Locust
    Centralia, IL 62801
    618-594-4581 Fax 618-533-0012
    DDaum@crconline.info
    (Serving Clinton county)

    HUMAN SERVICE CENTER
    Gary L. Buatte, Executive Director
    Call for Counseling Contact
    10257 State Route Three
    Red Bud , IL 62278
    618-282-6233  FAX 282-6220
    g.buatte@humanservicegroup.com
    (Serving Monroe and Randolph counties)

    SWIC PROGRAMS & SERVICES FOR OLDER PERSONS
    Ms. Vicki Rose, Director x7023
    Linda Watson, Counseling Contact
    201 North Church Street Belleville , IL 62220
    618-234-4410 800/222-5131 FAX 618-234-8634
    vicki.rose@swic.edu
    www.swic.edu
    (Serving Greater East St. Louis area in St. Clair County)

    Service for Washington County to be announced

LINKS FOR ELDER CAREGIVERS

  • Alzheimer's Association   The Alzheimer's Association is the world leader in Alzheimer research and support. The Alzheimer's Association, St. Louis Chapter serves more than 65,000 families in the St. Louis metro area, eastern Missouri and western Illinois.
  • Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Online  This is a superb website providing education, online support, a message board and live chat for caregivers. Winner of the Caregiver Friendly Award of 2003 from Caregiver Magazine. This is an outstanding site.

  • Elder Care Online
    • This is an outstanding website covering all aspects of elder care. There are resources for learning about caregiving, support group directories, live online chats with other caregivers, etc.

  • Strength for Caring
    • This is a comprehensive online resources and community for family caregivers. The site offers monthly newsletter with updates about new site content, helpful tips, and inspiring thoughts.

  • National Alliance for Caregiving is another excellent resource. Check out in particular the Family Care Resource Center that includes a searchable comprehensive directory of online, media, and print resources for caregivers. Each resource is rated and reviewed. In depth, clearly organized, comprehensive, and well executed.

  • Family Caregiver Alliance
    Caregiving Across the States provides users with the ability to search for information about caregiver support programs and services in each of the 50 states.

  • National Family Caregivers Association

  • ElderLawAnswers is a website focused on a range of legal questions. It includes general information on elder legal issues, a newsletter, a discussion forum to post questions to an elder attorney, state-specific content, and much more. Issues covered include estate planning, medical directives, medicare, medicaid, long-term care planning, etc.

LINKS FOR GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN