I Care
       For You

email me at one of the addresses below
I promise not to give away or sell your
email address. I don't approve of that.
I will answer your email.

JeanDonahue@gmail.com
OR
JeanDonahue@aol.com

If you are taking care of your husband, wife, child, parent or another person, you are a caregiver. Please don't turn away from the help you might find on this site because of a term you don't want to accept.   That term has nothing to do with a profession.

I am including the following links because each site has information on it that may help you take care of your loved one as well as help you deal with your own feelings .  It is up to you to decide if anything will help in your situation.  I have not read all the information on each of the following sites and I have not purchased anything from any of these sites. 

Whether you are dealing with a serious illness or condition of your own or a loved one, you deal with sadness and grief.   When you are taking care of your loved one you know they are gradually slipping away from you and you need to be find a way to accept their decline and impending death.  Sometimes they also know they are dying and they need help accepting the end of their life.  I have included a section with links to help with this grief, before and/or after death.

If you know of a site that you think I should include here please email me the web address, name of the site (sometimes that is different than the web site address) and the reason you think it should be added.  I will check it out and possibly add it.

If you think that any of the sites I have listed should be taken off this list please email me with the web site address, name of the site (sometimes that is different than the web site address) and the reason you think it should be taken off.  I will then check that out and possibly take it off.

Caregiving Related Information

CaregiversHome.com
     Provides excellent information on care of the elderly.
     In January I will again be writing Practical Caregiving. Until then,
     click here to read Practical Caregiving.
Caring.com
     A site created to help you care for your aging parents and other loved ones. Their mission is to
     give you the information and resources you need to make better decisions, save time, and feel
     more supported.
www.Agingcare.com
     A site dedicated to caregivers for the elderly. The content is rich with information that will help
     ease the burden of caregiving including Knowledge Centers for disease specific information for
     caregivers, product information and more.
GetBodySmart
     An online examination of basic human anatomy and physiology. Use the interactive and
     animated tutorials and quizzes in this developing site to learn more about the organ systems that
     make the body work.
Help Center by the American Psychological Association
     The Get the Facts section includes articles on many issues including caregiving and how to help
     anyone that is sick. Each section has articles you might find helpful in your life or the life of
     someone close to you.
Family Caregiver Alliance
     This is an information resource to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term
     care at home.

Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA)   Limited to the United States
     Provides information for older adults and their special needs through public education, clinical
     research, and public policy.  They aim to build a bridge between the research and practice of
     Geriatrics and the Public, and to advocate on behalf of older adults and their special health care
     needs.

Peace of Mind – Caring for Seniors at Home  A Canadian site with good information for everyone
     Excellent Canadian site with tips and links to help you with home care and facility care, no
     matter where you are located. This site is a British Columbia, Canada site created to help
     others while coping with the long term illness of their loved ones.

Aging Parents and Elder Care
     Provides advice, checklists, and links to key resources. They want to make it easier for family
     caregivers to quickly find the information they need and avoid missing things that are important
     in the care of their loved one

Empowering Caregivers
     This site provides assistance on practical matters and gives meaning to the spiritual and personal
     challenges that result from being a caregiver.  The site looks at many of the issues you may
     experience or are already experiencing in your time of need.  Click on the Care-givers.com link.

KidsHealth
     Has extensive information for parents, kids and teens. Use their search field to look for
     information on your particular situation.
     How to Care for a Seriously Ill Child has information on talking to your child, their siblings
     and handling stress.

ElderWeb
     This site has a lot of good information and links to long term care information, as well as an
     expanding library of articles and reports, news, and events.

Nursing Home Information Site   Limited to the United States
     Helpful information in solving problems or answering questions related to nursing homes,
     Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, patient rights, advance treatment directives, etc.

Nursing Home Abuse Center   Limited to the United States
     Elder abuse in nursing homes is a major problem that needs to be resolved as soon as possible.
     This site provides information on what abuse is, what to do about it and information on nursing
     homes in your area.

Boomers International  An international site with excellent information
     This site has information for the baby boomer, including caring for loved ones.  Click on the tab
     called "Golden Age" to find the information you want.

PageWise on Children: Health & Safety
     Many articles on various subjects relating to childcare and health.  PageWise is the place to
     come when you are looking for the answer to a question. "How do I do this?", "Who said
     this?", "Why is that?", and so on.

SeniorsSearch
     A search directory for people over 50.  Click on Health and Fitness then type in what you are
     searching for or click on a subcategory.

TSAO Foundation   A site in Singapore with good information for everyone
     The Tsao Foundation's aim is to promote successful ageing, strengthen
     intergenerational solidarity and support the development of age-related services
     through training.

Seniors-Site.Com
     A site with a lot of information.  This site has useful information, you can ask their expert,
     message boards where you can read what other people ask or say, and you can post your own
     question or thought for someone else. To find the information you might need to click on
     Site map.

Growth House, Inc.
     Information and resources for life-threatening illness and end of life care.

the Caregivers
     In a six-part series, The San Francisco Examiner explores the trials and triumphs of children
     facing the task of caring for an aging parent.

Caregiver Network Inc  A Canadian site with good information for everyone
     Caregiver Network Inc.(CNI), the first of its kind in Canada, is a resource centre created to
     help caregivers of the elderly and ill.

Caregiving.com
     Help provide solutions to your caregiving situations throughout your caregiving years.
     Caregiving is a journey of six stages. Where are you?

ElderCare Online
     ElderCare Online is a beacon for people caring for aging loved ones. Whether you are caring
     for a spouse, parent, relative or neighbor, we are committed to providing an online community
     where supportive peers and professionals help you improve quality of life for yourself and your
     elder.

How To Care  A Canadian site with good information for everyone
     Caring for an aging parent or chronically ill spouse or friend is a challenge most Canadians are
     facing.  This site is here to help you manage the realities of caring for others and yourself by
     supplying practical, portable information on the issues we know you will confront.  Most of the
     information is applicable to anyone, whether they are in Canada or a different country.

AARP  Limited to the United States but has good information on caregiving & health
     American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to
     helping older Americans achieve lives of independence, dignity and purpose.
CARP  Limited to Canada but has good information on health issues
     Canadian Association of Retired Persons. However, the name no longer describes CARP's
     membership who are fifty years or older, retired or not. Hence the new descriptor, Canada's
     Association for the Fifty-Plus. CARP remains, the rest has been retired.  CARP's mandate to
     effectively promote the rights and quality of life of mature Canadians. A non-profit organization,
     CARP does not receive government operating funding in order to maintain its independence.

CAPS  - Children Of Aging Parents   Limited to the United States
     Children of Aging ParentS is a nonprofit, charitable organization whose mission is to assist the
     nation's caregivers of the elderly.  Has decent information to help the caregiver.

National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)   Limited to the United States
     This is an organization that addresses the needs and concerns of all family caregivers.  Free
     membership to caregivers of a family member, friend, neighbor, partner or loved one of
     someone who is ill or disabled who live in the United States.

email me at one of the addresses below
I promise not to give away or sell your
email address. I don't approve of that.
I will answer your email.

JeanDonahue@gmail.com
OR
JeanDonahue@aol.com

Disease & Medical Information,
Hospice, and Nutrition

Hospice Net
     Information and help for patients and families facing life-threatening illness.  Has information on
     handling grief as well as other information.

Hospice   Limited to the United States
     Hospice helps improve the end of life care for people dying in America and their loved ones.
     Has information on selecting a hospice and listings of hospice care in your area.

National Institutes of Health
     Information for everyone on medications, health conditions and diseases, senior's health,
     women's health, child and teen health, population groups, functions of the systems in the body,
     food and nutrition, wellness information, drug information, special programs and more.

MEDLINEplus
     A service of the National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health in the United States.
     This site has information on:  (1) Health Topics - conditions, diseases and wellness, plus a
     medical encyclopedia  (2) Drug Information - generic and brand name drugs (3) Dictionaries - 
     spellings and definitions of medical terms (4) Directories - locations and credentials of doctors,
     dentists and hospitals (5) Resources -  access to organizations, consumer health libraries,
     international sites, MEDLINE and more

Mayo Clinic Health Information
     The Mayo Clinic is known for it's treatment of medical ailments. These web pages have helpful
     resources concerning the health issues of the elderly.
     For various diseases, click here:   Diseases & Conditions A-Z
     For information on over 8,000 drugs, click here:  drug information

Medical College of Wisconsin Physician & Clinics
     The goals of MCW HealthLink are to:
     Promote the health and well-being of our community.
     Empower our patients with accurate, timely, impartial, and authoritative medical
        information.
     Strengthen the sense of community among our patients and physicians.

WebMD Health
     WebMD provides credible information, supportive community, and educational services.
     Their web site includes:  (1) Health news for the public (2) Up-to-date medical reference
     content databases (3) Medical imagery, graphics, and animation (4) Communities
     (5) Live Web events (6) User experience (7) Interactive tools.

PersonalMD
     This comprehensive site has information on various diseases, drugs, alternative medicines, and
     other health issues.

Dr. Peeke's Website
     Family caregivers experience a lot of Toxic Stress.  Detrimental weight gain can be a result of
     Toxic Stress.  Dr. Peeke is a stress and nutrition expert that has helped many people develop a
     stress-resilient lifestyle.

MCW HealthLink
     New Nutritional Guidelines for Seniors 70 and Older by the Medical College of Wisconsin
     Physicians and Clinics

MedBroadcast.com
     Canadian based organization specializing in providing online medical information and services.
     Site has information on various diseases, conditions and medications.

NeedyMeds.com   Limited to the United States
     NeedyMeds is the place to learn about patient assistance programs and other programs
     designed to help those who can't afford their medicines. NeedyMeds is not a program or
     source of medicines.  It's an information source.

email me at one of the addresses below
I promise not to give away or sell your
email address. I don't approve of that.
I will answer your email.

JeanDonahue@gmail.com
OR
JeanDonahue@aol.com

Buy Food for Less Money

Angel Food Ministries  They are in many states
     Buy $70.00 worth of food for $30.00 once a month. Click on Host Sites, then State. It gives the cities in your state that have this program and where to contact them. Call to order the food at least 2 weeks before you pick it up.  They are in 33 states and EVERYONE qualifies. Check it out.To find a place near you, click on Host Sites, Find out when you need to order the food and when to pick it up.

email me at one of the addresses below
I promise not to give away or sell your
email address. I don't approve of that.
I will answer your email.

JeanDonahue@gmail.com
OR
JeanDonahue@aol.com

Government and
Government Related Sites

Nursing Home Compare  Limited to the United States
     Government tool to use when you are evaluating nursing homes for your loved one.
     You can search for information by state, county, city, zip code, and name.

benefitscheckup.org  Limited to the United States
     This website helps older people and their families learn about the benefits they might qualify for
     that they did not know about. Provides contact information in your state. It is a free,
     easy-to-use service that identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans.
     You need to know employment history, income, assets, names of medications and current
     expenses.

Govbenefits.gov   Limited to the United States
     Helps you search for eligibility information for benefits and provides contact information.

U.S. Administration on Aging   Limited to the United States
     This web site explains the unique functions of the Act including its creation and funding of a
     network of state and local agencies on aging that plan and support in-home and community
     services for older adults. The most recent addition to the Older Americans Act is a National
     Family Caregivers Support Program to be administered by states and area agencies on aging.
     Information about the new program is on the AoA web site.  The U.S. Administration on Aging
     is the funding and oversight agency for most programs funded under the Older Americans Act.
     For information in your area, click the Eldercare Locator or call the toll-free number at
     1-800-677-1116. Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM (ET)

Medicare  Limited to the United States
     The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare.  This site has information you
     need to know about Medicare eligibility, enrollment, and premiums, plan choices, claims and
     appeals, nursing home comparisons, and other information.

Medicare Rights Center (MRC)   Limited to the United States
     The Medicare Rights Center is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that
     older adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care. This web site offers
     helpful and reliable information for Medicare consumers.

Department of Veterans Affairs   Limited to the United States
     The national office for the department of Veterans Affairs. To locate an office near
     you, go to:  http://www.va.gov/sta/guide/division.asp?divisionId=1

email me at one of the addresses below
I promise not to give away or sell your
email address. I don't approve of that.
I will answer your email.

JeanDonahue@gmail.com
OR
JeanDonahue@aol.com

Grief & Suicide Information and Support

Hospice Net
     Has information on handling grief as well as other information.

Beyond Indigo
     The mission of Beyond Indigo is to offer a safe haven to those who have lost a loved one to
     death, are anticipating the loss of a loved one or who are facing their own death in the near
     future.

Growth House, Inc.
     Information on grief and resources for life-threatening illness and end of life care.

Kristin Brooks Hope Center  1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) in the United States
     Information on suicide as well as connections to a crisis line near you.

Suicide and Suicide Prevention  International links to suicide crisis lines
     Information and help for those considering suicide and their friends and family.

email me at one of the addresses below
I promise not to give away or sell your
email address. I don't approve of that.
I will answer your email.

JeanDonahue@gmail.com
OR
JeanDonahue@aol.com

Organizations & Other Sites
for Specific Illnesses,
Conditions, and Injuries

Aids & HIV   AIDSmeds.com

ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association

Alcohol Addiction  Alcoholics Anonymous

Alzheimer's (Dementia)  Alzheimer's Association
     Alzheimer Solutions
     SharingCare.com

Arthritis  Arthritis Foundation

Brain Injury  Brain Injury Association of America
     The International Brain Injury Association

Brain Tumor  American Brain Tumor Association

Cancer  American Cancer Society

Cancer - Prostate  Prostate Cancer Support Group Network

Cancer - Prostate, Testicular, Urinary Bladder, Male Breast Cancer    Malecare

Cystic Fibrosis  Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Dementia  Alzheimer's Association
     SharingCare.com

Depression  National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)

Diabetes  American Diabetes Association

Ears  National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
     Hard of Hearing Advocates

Eating Disorders  National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

Eyes - Blindness  American Foundation for the Blind
     American Council of the Blind
     National Federation of the Blind

Eyes - Macular Degeneration  American Macular Degeneration Foundation

Feet  American Podiatric Medical Association

Geriatrics  The American Geriatrics Society

Heart  American Heart Association
     Cardiology Channel

Hypertension  Cardiology Channel on Hypertention

Huntington's Disease   Huntington's Disease Advocacy Center

Kidney  National Kidney Foundation

Liver  American Liver Foundation

Lungs  American Lung Association

Lupus  Lupus Foundation of America

Mental Illness  National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)

Multiple Sclerosis  Multiple Sclerosis Association of America

Osteoporosis  National Osteoporosis Foundation
     BoneBalance

Pain  pain.com

Paralysis  Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
     Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center

Parkinson's Disease  American Parkinson Disease Association, West Coast Office
     The National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.

Spinal Cord Injury  National Spinal Cord Injury Association

Stroke  American Stroke Association

Suicide  American Association of Suicidology

email me at one of the addresses below
I promise not to give away or sell your
email address. I don't approve of that.
I will answer your email.

JeanDonahue@gmail.com
OR
JeanDonahue@aol.com

Legal Information, Guardianship,
Long Term Care Insurance
Living Will, Health Care Proxy,
 and Elder Abuse

International Guardianship Network
     The mission of IGN is to provide support, information and networking opportunities for
     guardians worldwide.  The  membership is voluntary and free. The mission of IGN is to
     provide support, information and networking opportunities for guardians worldwide. We want to
     initiate innovative and creative partnerships between the national guardianship associations.
     Click on the IGN Memberlist to find other sites and guardians.
     Click on Betreuungsverein Treptow-Köpenick for a chat area and forum.

National Guardianship Association   Limited to the United States
     Guardianship is a legal relationship between a competent adult and a person over the age of 18
     who does not have the ability to make an "informed decision," or, there is a risk of harm that they
     may experience due to their inability to provide for themselves or manage their affairs.  There is a
     charge for membership.

Long Term Care Insurance  Limited to the United States
     Offers professional advice regarding long term care insurance.  Review the benefits and
     importance of long term care.  Post questions to licensed professionals on their discussion
     board.  Review posted articles and glossary.  Get a free copy of the "Insider’s Guide to Long
     Term Care Insurance" and free quotes from local professionals are available to all interested
     people.

Long Term Care Quote  Limited to the United States
     Click on the links on the right side and you will find information you want to know about Long
     Term Care Information. Click on the left and you can download a copy of the "Insiders Guide To
     Long Term Care Insurance", and a referral to an LTC Professional in your area.

U.S. Living Will Registery   Limited to the United States
     Will your health care choices by honored if you become incapacitated?  Protect your right to
     control your health care.  Learn how to create and register your living will and health care proxy.
     Make your choices known in an advance directive.

Aging With Dignity   Limited to the United States
     This site believes that Americans must safeguard the rights of the sick, aging or dying with the
     same enthusiasm we show for the young or healthy.  Aging With Dignity provides you with
     practical information, advice and legal tools you need to ensure your wishes and those of your
     loved ones will be respected.

National Center on Elder Abuse  Limited to the United States
     This site contains many resources to help you find the assistance, publications, data, information,
     and answers you need.

Elder Abuse Foundation  Limited to the United States
     Provides information and legal referral on elder abuse and nursing home abuse.

LawHelp.org   Limited to the United States
     LawHelp.org aims to provide both legal and lawyer referral information to people with
     low-incomes as well as to provide support and information to attorneys and advocates serving
     them.  They are in the process of adding individual states.

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys   Limited to the United States
     NAELA's vision is to be the recognized leader inspiring and empowering attorneys to enhance
     the quality of life for the elderly.  Some of the issues NAELA members assist their clients with
     include, but are not limited to: public benefits, probate and estate planning,
     guardianship/conservatorship, and health and long-term care planning.

LegalMedicalWeb.com
     LegalMedicalWeb.com is a search engine that is focused on Health, Medicine, Government,
     Law and Computer & Internet Technology.

email me at one of the addresses below
I promise not to give away or sell your
email address. I don't approve of that.
I will answer your email.

JeanDonahue@gmail.com
OR
JeanDonahue@aol.com