Where To Begin

You're worried about your mother's increasingly apparent memory loss. What do you do?

Your father is scheduled for surgery and you're anxious about the help he'll receive during his recovery. Where do you even begin to look for help?

Caregivers ask themselves questions like this every day. And if you're new to the caregiving role, you may be at a complete loss of where to even begin. How do you know where to turn for answers, when sometimes you don't even know what questions you should be asking?

Your older loved one's physician will be able questions about medical conditions and care. He or she will likely provide information on what to expect as a condition progresses. He or she may be able to answer some of your non-medical questions, as well. If you're lucky, Dad's doctor will be one who makes a point of staying up-to-date on what's available in home- and community-based services.

But as a caregiver, you don't want to rely on luck alone. If you live in an urban area in the U.S., chances are good that there is a wide range of services available for older adults and sometimes for caregivers, too. If you live a rural area, the options will likely be more limited, but they will be there in some form.

Whether you're a seasoned caregiver or new to the job, if an unfamiliar concern arises with your aging loved one, a good place to start in your quest for answers is your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). There is an AAA in just about every community in the United States. They plan, develop, coordinate and deliver services to older adults and often people with disabilities regardless of age. Your local AAA can put you in touch with contracted providers or some may provide services themselves.

You can find your local AAA by searching the Eldercare Locator from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the U.S. Administration on Aging. If your questions or concerns are disease specific, many affiliated associations have websites loaded with informational articles, tips and resources. They also may include links to local resources.

For instance, the national Alzheimer's Association website includes a prominently displayed function to find your local chapter. The American Diabetes Association website also allows visitors to search for programs and events by zip code.

With the aging of the Baby Boom generation has come a substantial increase in the number of products and services being marketed to older adults. You will want to do some “homework” to make sure you're choosing the services that are best for you and your loved one. Talk to friends and neighbors who may have gone through the same struggles you're experiencing in finding help for a loved one. Visit senior fairs in your community for the chance to talk to a variety of potential service providers in one go.

You can find additional resources, including information on prescription drug coverage, tips on managing health, and of course, information on Medicare, at Medicare.gov. The site, which is run by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also includes comparison charts that will allow you to see how potential providers, such as home health agencies, dialysis centers and hospitals, are rated by consumers.

Links to additional resources for older adults and their caregivers can be found on the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging website.