AARP Downloadable Resources
Glossary of Eldercare Terms pdf
Planning
Valuable Documents pdf
Valuable Documents
at Your Fingertips
Ombudsman on your side pdf
An ombudsman, is
responsible for making sure problems get
resolved in nursing homes.
Legal Issues pdf
Through a variety of legal
documents, older people can establish
their preferences before problems occur,
for their peace of mind and that of their
adult children.
Knowing Public Benefits pdf
There are a variety of public
programs, run by both the federal and
state governments, to help those in need.
End of Life pdf
Death is a natural part of life ... but
talking about it isn’t! That’s because most people are too
afraid to talk — or even think — about what will happen when they or a loved one dies. But avoiding the topic will not prevent death from happening nor ease the pain that is associated with loss.
Planning for Changing Needs pdf
Caregivers are a diverse group who vary
in age, length of time they have been providing
care, culture, financial situation,
and the abilities they bring to the task.
Providing Care at Home pdf
Most older
people prefer to stay at home even when
their needs for care are great. As a result,
families take on care responsibilities,
which may involve managing high-tech
medical treatments, assisting with daily
activities, and dealing with issues around
dying.
Assessing the Situation pdf
An assessment is a comprehensive review
of a person’s mental, physical, environmental,
and financial condition to
establish his or her ability to remain safely
independent.
Providing Hands-on Care pdf
Many adult children choose is to provide
hands-on care for a parent at home, either
moving in with the parent or having the
parent move in with them.
Choosing an Agency pdf
You want to choose an agency that will
provide all the services you need for your
parent or loved one.
Hiring Home Care Workers pdf
Before you begin your search for the right
person, you need to figure out just what
kind of help your parent needs and how
often.
Medical
Communicating with Health Professionals pdf
Communicating effectively with
doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists,
social workers, and other health
professionals is critical to participating
actively in medical decisions, getting the
best results, and improving peace of mind.
Health History pdf
It’s easy to forget important information
about your health at any age—your last
physical, your last health screening. This
can be a barrier to getting good care since
these are things that doctors need to know
to treat you properly and that you need to
know to stay healthy. But there’s an easy
solution—write it down!
Preventing Falls pdf
What can you do to prevent falls? Here is
a list of things to improve safety around
the house.
Nursing Home Questions pdf
Choosing a home can be very difficult.
Early planning and visiting can make this
process easier.
Nursing Homes - Learning the System pdf
Understanding how the nursing
home system works, how to solve
problems, where to go for help,
and residents’ rights are all
important factors in getting good care.
Choosing and Paying for Nursing Home Care pdf
A nursing home is first and foremost
a home, a home that provides a
room, meals, skilled nursing,
rehabilitative care, medical
services, personal care, and recreation in
a supervised and protected environment.
LTC Insurance pdf
Each year, about 7 million
Americans receive some type of
long-term care. Long-term care
refers to different kinds of help
that people with chronic illnesses,
disabilities, or other conditions need to
function day-to-day.
Medicare Basics pdf
If you’re caring for a parent with
Medicare, it’s important that you
know about this federal health
insurance program.
Getting Facts About Hospice pdf
This Tip Sheet is
designed to introduce you to hospice and
to show you how hospice may help you
and your loved ones during life’s final
journey.
Getting Facts on Palliative Care pdf
Palliative care addresses the needs of
patients who have chronic and/or lifethreatening
illnesses.
Managing Symptoms at End of Life pdf
Many symptoms can make
both patients and family members feel
overwhelmed and scared, and can affect
the quality of their life in ways that are
unplanned.
Dealing with Pain pdf
This Tip Sheet will help you understand
the issues related to pain and show you
how to deal with them.
Advance Directives pdf
The best way to communicate your final
wishes is through advance directives. By
using these documents, you have more
control over the key issues that will impact
the quality of your life during your last
days.
Housing
Independent Living pdf
For your parents’ welfare and your peace
of mind, it’s important to have family
conversations about staying at home
before problems arise.
Home Repair and Universal Design pdf
Universal design features create homes
that are usable and marketable to people
of all ages. Universal design helps to
eliminate the need for specialized,
expensive equipment.
Seasonal Tasks Around the House pdf
Using
this handy list of household
chores will help you keep your house safe
and sound all year long.
Lighting Your Home pdf
The older you get, the more important
proper lighting becomes. That’s because as
you age, you need more light to see.
Housing Options pdf
There are a lot of housing possibilities
for older adults. The following is an overview
which describes the most common housing arrangements.
Assisted Living Questions pdf
If you have decided that an assisted
living residence is the right choice
for you or someone you care for,
this checklist will help you choose
the right residence to meet your needs.
Assisted Living Options pdf
Assisted living is
aimed at helping residents be as
independent as possible while providing
assistance when necessary.
Assessment
How Well Your Home Meets your Needs pdf
Home modifications can make your
home safer and more comfortable.
Transportation and Driving pdf
Older parents and adult children often
view driving issues differently.
Community Transportation pdf
To most people of all ages, getting around is the most important part of maintaining an independent lifestyle.
Coping
Long Distance Caregiver pdf
Families whose members live at a distance
from one another have many difficult
questions and issues to address.
Balancing Work and Caregiving pdf
More than 26 million American workers are also caregivers for their parents or older relatives and friends.
Community Services to Meet Needs pdf
With the growing numbers of older people who need support to live on their own, private and
public organizations are now offering many different options in the home and the community. These options are often referred to as home and community-based services.
Gadgets to Make Life Easier pdf
There are gadgets, called assistive devices, to help make life easier.
Involving Others pdf
When you are providing care for an
older parent, the more help you
can receive, the better. Involving
others provides a broader base of
support for parents, as well as relieving
adult children of some of the tasks and
stresses.
Managing Stress pdf
Caregiver Stress Quiz
Spiritual Concerns pdf
In order to take care of the “whole” person, psychological, social, biological, and spiritual needs must be met.
