Top 12 Websites for Caregiver Support
It’s the life-changing ob you were never trained to do. It’s one of the most rewarding and stressful experiences of your life. It’s caregiving. And millions of Americans are in this voluntary field with you—every one of them needing support.
Some caregivers are on duty 24/7. Others care long-distance, coordinating aid either by themselves, with family or through a geriatric care manager. Many—maybe even you—don’t define themselves as caregivers. They’re just people with family members who need them.
But however you do it, caring for another human being is not something you want to do alone. You may need physical, emotional and spiritual support—perhaps all three.
Here are 12 top websites where you can find or organize the kind of support you need. And remember, we’re here for you anytime too. Just give us a call. After all, we specialize in caregiver support!
Websites With Caregiver Support Groups
Family Caregiver Alliance
At this organization’s website, In addition to discussion groups, you can find local resources, informative webinars, and advice about things like balancing work and senior care.
AARP Caregiving Resource Center
Beginning caregivers will find helpful getting-started articles here. There’s also a pill identifier that helps you name that random blue tablet you found on the floor. There are quite a few message boards—some more active than others.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center
The Alzheimer’s Association runs this website, so, yeah, there’s a lot of stuff here besides message boards. Check out the online tools, caregiver-training options, community-resource finder and local support groups.
CancerCare
Here, you’ll find an ask-the-expert column, online educational workshops and support groups organized around specific needs—including online, telephone and face-to-face group for caregivers.
Specialized Caregiver Support Websites
The following websites specialize in caregiver tools—mostly free ones.
To organize care and information: CareZone
Organize yourself and your helpers through an activities calendar; share updates through a blog; and store contacts, medication information and uploaded files. (CareZone also offers a to-do list.)
To organize in-person support: CaringBridge and Lotsa Helping Hands
Coordinate help through a special calendar that allows friends and family to sign up for tasks. With Lotsa Helping Hands, if you want, you can build an “Open Community” to accept help from others in your area. Lotsa Helping Hands also powers My Cancer Circle and AGIS Family CareGroups (from an eldercare site).
To organize financial support: GiveForward
Here, you can start a fundraiser for medical bills and invite friends and family to give. (Fees apply.)
