Caregiver Resources
Every day, millions of older Americans (those 65 years of age or older) manage basic health and functioning needs with the help of family caregivers. Approximately 43.5 million caregivers (defined as relatives, partners, friends, or neighbors who provide assistance because of a personal relationship rather than financial compensation) set up medical appointments, coordinate services, help with daily tasks, prepare meals, assist with transportation, manage medicines, and handle bills and banking. Whether the person they are caring for is living with them or hundreds of miles away, individuals caring for an older adult sacrifice a lot of their time and even their well-being.
A Guide for Caregivers
Without a doubt, the services that the family caregiver provides are invaluable. But being a
family caregiver can be stressful. We are here to help! We have put together a Guide for Caregivers to help provide informed decisions about their role as a caregiver. Click on the image to download a copy today!
Caregiver Support Groups
To help caregivers connect with our caregiver professionals and other caregivers to share experiences and learn about available resources at one of our support group options:
Attend Virtually Online:
Meet face-to-face with other caregivers each Monday from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. by Zoom.
https://nei3a-org.zoom.us/j/99663043881?pwd=WXFjNTFrUHF1QlZzL0Zuak5pUGtiZz09
Meet In Person:
Decorah: Third Monday of each month from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the NEI3A Decorah Regional Office located at 607 Washington Street in Decorah.
Dubuque: Last Monday of each month from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Dubuque NEi3A Regional Office located at 2728 Asbury Road, Fountain Park Springs Building #430 in Dubuque.
Waterloo: First Tuesday of each month from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the NEI3A Waterloo Regional Office located at 3840 W. 9th Street in Waterloo.
Dementia Resource Guide
A diagnosis or symptoms of dementia is overwhelming. Often, people are not sure where to turn for support. This guide was created to help point people living with dementia and their caregivers to the available resources in Iowa. It is organized by topics related to dementia and caregiving.
View or download the full guide here:
https://dementiafriendlyiowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dementia-Resource-Guide-1.pdf
Staying Connected with Family and Friends with GrandPads
NEI3A has partnered with GrandPads to provide a safe, trusted, easy to use device for older adults. Learn more about the program here.
Online Education and Information:
- mmLearn.org offers a wide variety of education and training for caregivers.
- When Dementia Knocks information presented by Dr. Elaine Eshbaugh, Professor of Family Services & Gerontology at the University of Northern Iowa provides insite into dealing with Alzheimers and related dementias.
Local Library Resources
Check your local library for the following resources:
- The Magic of Humor in Caregiving by James R. Sherman
- Preventing Caregiver Burnout by James R. Sherman
- Positive Caregiver Attitudes by James R. Sherman
- The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers: Looking After Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent by Barry J. Jacobs
- The Caregiver’s Essential Handbook: More than 1,200 Tips to Help You Care for and Comfort the Seniors in Your Life by Sandra Choron and Sasha Carr
- Eldercare 911: The Caregiver’s Complete Handbook for Making Decisions by Susan Beerman and Judith Rappaport-Musson
- My Turn: Caring for Aging Parents & Other Elderly Loved Ones: A Daughters Perspective by Sandra W. Haymon
- Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos into Confidence by Gail Sheehy
- Coping with Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Emotional Survival Guide by Rose Oliver
- Facing Alzheimer’s: Family Caregivers Speak by Patricia Brown Coughlan
- It Takes More Than Love: A Practical Guide to Taking Care of an Aging Adult by Anita G. Beckerman
- The Home Care Companion’s Quick Tips for Caregivers by Marion Karpinski
- Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions by Paula Hogan the 36-hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life by Nancy L. Mace
- The Moon in the Water: Reflections of an Aging Parent by Kathy J. Phillips
- A Survival Guide for Family Caregivers, Strength, Support and Sources of Help for All Those Caring for Aging or Impaired Family Members by Jo Horne