|
Family Caregivers Month We are the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization, working to improve the quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries. Our site offers beneficiary and family-centered care information for providers, patients, and families. Welcome! |
bfcc-qio information for:
who are family caregivers?
The term “family caregiver” describes someone who cares for members of their family of origin but also refers to those who care for their family of choice. This could be members of their congregation, neighbors, or close friends.
Caregiving could include helping someone by
- giving a ride to the store,
- helping with meals,
- accompanying to a doctor appointment, or
- a phone call to see how a friend or family member is doing.
november is family caregivers month
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and honor family caregivers.
Please see below for information that would be beneficial for caregivers.
Healthcare providers and advocacy groups, please share with your patients and communities.
information for caregivers
free immediate advocacy services
This is a free service provided by Kepro for people who have Medicare that can be useful for caregivers. It is used to help people quickly resolve problems about medical care or services. Immediate Advocacy often involves Kepro calling a healthcare provider or facility on behalf of the patient.
To show you how this service can help, read a story from our past newsletter: Immediate Advocacy Can Help Caregivers, Even If a Caregiver Is Providing Care to Someone In Another State.
web links
- Family Caregiver Toolbox. The toolbox includes things like basics of caregiving (helpful for those who are caring for someone for the first time), web links to local organizations that could help you, and information for people who are caring for someone long distance.
- Tips for Caregivers. Get 10 quick tips you can use.
- Online Community. This is an online forum where you can talk with other caregivers. You can post messages, ask questions, and offer support to other people.
- Caregiver Corner. The Caregiver Corner is a web page from Eldercare Locator with web links and resources. Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting you to services for older adults and their families.
- Resources for Caregivers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more about being a caregiver and locating resources.
- Family Caregiving Resources from AARP. This web page includes a variety of articles and tips as well as how caregivers can take good care of themselves (because you can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself).
- Help for Caregivers from The National Alliance for Caregiving. This web site has a list of web links to organizations such as Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving, cancer caregiving, and caregiving for people with disabilities.
- VA Caregiver Support Program supports a diverse group of veterans’ caregivers – from spouses, to parents, to children, and friends.
- Guide for New Mental Health Caregivers. In this guide, Mental Health America talks specifically about people who care for someone who has been recently diagnosed with a mental health condition.
- CaringBridge is a free online tool for sharing health updates. You can easily communicate health news to family and friends—all in one place.
