Foreword
The Kansas Caregiver Guide is being made available online because more and more families are caring for an older family member, an adult child with disabilities, or a friend. This guide offers you a range of suggestions to make caregiving easier and more successful, whether you are a caregiver or the person who ensures that your loved one receives the best possible care from others.
Caregiving takes time, effort, and patience. It can challenge you intellectually
and emotionally, teach you flexibility and strengthen your problem solving
abilities. Over time, some care receivers may recover and/or improve.
If so, this can be very satisfying, but even when those being cared for
are not able to improve, you are making a positive difference in the life
of someone you care about.
Acknowledgement:
Contents adapted from the Administration on Aging "Because We Care: A Guide for People Who Care"
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Where Can We Turn for Help?
Chapter 2 Services
Chapter 3 Housing Options
Chapter 4 Caring for Both of Us
Chapter 5 Living Day-to-Day
Chapter 6 Long-Term Care
Chapter 7 Caregiving
Chapter 8 How Do I Hire a Home Care Employee?
Chapter 9 Living with Alzheimer's Disease
Chapter 10 Children with Special Needs
Chapter 11 Who Will Care If I Am Not There?
Important Toll-Free Numbers
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
Caregiver Websites
Caregiving Terms
Forms
The information contained in this guide is provided solely for educational
and informational purposes, and may not be construed or relied upon as
individual legal advice. Persons in need of such advice should seek independent
legal counsel.
Visit KDOA on the web at: www.agingkansas.org/kdoa. If you would like to request other KDOA publications please use our online publication order form to submit you request.
The Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA) provides services and educational materials without discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. If you believe you are a victim of discrimination, contact KDOA at (800) 432-3535, TDD (785) 291-3167.
"There are only four kinds of people in this
world-those that have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers,
those who will be caregivers, and those who need caregivers"
- Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter