In the News

The Health Care Law: Good News for Caregivers
The health care law that was passed in March 2010 known as the Affordable Care Act includes several measures that will mean more support for caregivers, as well as improved quality of care and more protections for the seniors and people with disabilities that they care for. -more-

Caregiver Support for those who provide care for Veterans: Caring for Those Who Care
Caregivers are the family members and loved ones who provide care for Veterans who are living with the effects of war, disability, chronic illness, or aging. They deserve VA's highest level of support. On February 1, 2011, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) opened a toll-free National Caregiver Support Line. -more-

Local Groups Supporting Family Caregivers:

Caregiver Connections "Uniting Communities to Support Family Caregivers" The Caregiver Connections website is a link for & about Family Caregivers in Western NH. It is a link to family caregiver resources, to "how can I help" information, and to education & training for individuals and groups. Website address: www.nhcaregiverconnections.org

Caregiver's Network
The Caregivers Network is committed to improving the quality of life of caregiving individuals and families by supporting, empowering and advocating for those who care for the chronically ill, aged or a disabled loved one.

Merrimack County Caregiver Coalition
The mission of the coalition is to educate, support, and empower caregivers of the elderly to create awareness of community resources and services and to promote an understanding of the impact that caregiving has within our community. All caregivers and providers of related agencies are encouraged to participate for mutual sharing of resources and support. For more information, please contact Merrimack County ServiceLink at (603) 228-6625 or 1-866-634-9412 or email dsemple@mcservicelink.org

Coalition of Caring
The mission of the coalition is to promote and strengthen the well being of caregivers who provide care for a disabled or ill child, adult or senior. This Coalition is comprised of organizations that support the elderly, children with disabilities, adults with disabilities, hospice patients and the chronically ill. It is our intention to continue to invite interested organizations to our committee as we continue our community outreach.

Events and Training

Support groups are listed on our public searchable database.

Articles and Publications Related to Caregiving

NH Family Care Guide: Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders - 2011 Revised Edition
This comprehensive guide covers everything from getting a good diagnosis, to caregiver self-care, communication, making the home safe and "dementia-friendly", problem areas, medical issues and daily living. To request a print copy of the Guide -click here-

Caregiver Resource Guide - Merrimack County
This comprehensive guide has been assembled by Merrimack County ServiceLink that is helpful to family members and others who are caring for older adults. Many helpful resources in the local area.

Caregiving in the Workplace with Elinor Ginzler

Later Stage Alzheimer’s Disease: A Caregiver’s Guide
A guide free to family caregivers providing later stage care at home from the Alzheimer's Association. Flyer.

Caregivers Wrestle with Impossible Promises by Dr. Pamela Tronetti
Caregivers are heroes. But they are not superheroes. They are human beings. There comes a time when their loved one needs three shifts of people to take care of them.

AARP's Prepare to Care - A Planning Guide for Families
While you might not be thinking about it now, putting together a caregiving plan with your loved ones and other family members
helps eliminate problems at home and work. In addition to minimizing the last minute scrambling and family tensions that commonly
arise when a once-independent loved one needs more consistent care, a caregiving plan can also help reduce a family’s financial strain.

Related Website Links:

Alzheimer's Association
Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter website - http://www.alz.org/manh/
National website - http://www.alz.org/index.asp

From coast to coast, the local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association are in your community, providing core services to families and professionals, including information and referral, support groups, care consultation, education and safety services.

AARP
The AARP website offers information, education, research and access to resources on family caregiving.

National Family Caregiver Association
The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships and life stages to help transform family caregivers' lives by removing barriers to health and well-being.

Family Caregiver Alliance
Family Caregiver Alliance is a public voice for caregivers, illuminating the daily challenges they face, offering them the assistance they so desperately need and deserve, and championing their cause through education, services, research and advocacy.

Lotsa Helping Hands
Lotsa Helping Hands provides a free caregiving and volunteer service where individuals can create private web-based communities to organize help for people in need. It has an easy to use group calendar where members can schedule and sign up for tasks that provide respite for the family including meals, rides to medical appointments and visits. There are also a place for Announcements and Message Boards to update family members and friends who have access.

My Senior Care is a community on the topic of senior care providing information on home health care, assisted living facilities and hospice.

NH State Veteran's Council
The mission of the State Veterans Council (SVC) is to assist veterans who are residents of New Hampshire or their dependents in securing all benefits or preferences to which they may be entitled under any state or federal laws or regulations.

NH Adult Day Services Association
For over 20 years, the New Hampshire Adult Day Services Association (NHADSA) has been the voice for the state’s Adult Day Service industry. NHADSA represents over 25 provider members and supporters and is a reflection of the programmatic and geographic diversity for this cost-effective and continually expanding system of community-based care.

Home Care Association of NH
The Home Care Association of New Hampshire (HCANH) represents licensed agencies that provide in-home health care and supportive services to individuals living in New Hampshire. The Association promotes the delivery of responsible, high quality health care in the home by offering education and networking opportunities for home care professionals, providing leadership on home care issues, and serving as a home care advocate in the public policy arena.

Long Term Care Ombudsman
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman receives, services, investigates and resolves complaints or problems concerning residents of long-term health care facilities. The program also provides advocacy services to long-term care facility residents, and comments on existing and proposed legislation, regulations and policies affecting long-term care residents. Education is provided to residents, family members and facility staff concerning the legal rights of residents.

Grandparents and Relatives Raising children

NH RAPP – New Hampshire Relatives as Parents Program