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25 Best Websites That Save Time and Stress When Giving Care

Written by Carol Marak
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People who give care worry more about the other person than they do about themselves. That’s what makes them great caregivers! And who is a caregiver? The Merriam-Webster definition is: “a person who gives help and protection to someone (such as a child, an old person, or someone who is sick).”

Most people in the midst of giving care are stuck between guilt and stress and battling the relentless inner chatter of, “Do more, do more!” The pressure to do a good job is real, and to spend time mitigating the chatter is useless: a waste of time. If you’re a caregiver, that’s part of the deal.

Even the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project has a thing or two to say about giving care in the U.S. “More health care is happening at home,” said Susannah Fox, associate director at the Center. “As more people are able to be saved by medical advances, their lives are being extended, but they’re also being sent home medically fragile. It’s caregivers who are the first line of defense.”

So, how does one deal with the senseless pressure and stress of doing a perfect caring job when there’s not enough time? Firstly, acknowledge there’s no such thing as “perfect.” The Caregiver Stress Fact Sheet illustrates that you’re putting too much stress on yourself if you have any one of these symptoms:

  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Gaining or losing a lot of weight
  • Feeling tired most of the time
  • Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • Becoming easily irritated or angered
  • Feeling constantly worried
  • Often feeling sad
  • Frequent headaches, bodily pain, or other physical problems
  • Abuse of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs.

Secondly, learn and accept that feelings like frustration, anger, loneliness, guilt and exhaustion are common and part of the deal. Next, take smart steps. People who take a problem-solving and active approach to care issues are less likely to feel the effects. And you’re less likely to feel stressed than those who worry too much.

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Get support, starting with good, local resources, such as: your doctor, local support groups, and libraries. Then go online. Here are the 25 best caregiving support websites that save time and stress when giving care.

1. Eldercare Locator

Eldercare Locator connects caregivers to needed local services and resources for older adult help. It’s a great resource when caring for people living with disabilities.

Eldercare Locator

    2. AssistedLivingFacilities.org

    This site lists information on over 36,200 state-licensed assisted living facilities to help you locate the best assisted living facility for a loved one.

    Assisted Living Facilities.org

      3. AARP

      Information and support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Operates a 24/7 helpline and care navigator tools.

      AARP Caregiver Resources

         4. Family Care Navigator

        The Navigator helps caregivers locate public, nonprofit, and private programs and services nearest their loved one—living at home or in a residential facility.

        Family Caregiver State by State Resource

          5. Medicare.gov

          This site offers what every caregiver needs to know. Get resources, stories, and newsletters about taking care of someone on Medicare.

          Medicare.gov

            6. Next Step in Care

            Caregivers can download a variety of patient-care tools that instruct how to give better care.

            Next Step in Care

              7. HRSA

              Health centers that care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income.

              Health and Human Services

                8. National Alliance for Caregiving

                A nonprofit coalition of national organizations focusing on issues of family caregivers.

                NAIC Resources for Caregivers

                  9. The Empowered Patient Coalition

                  This site provides resources enabling patients to take control of their medical treatments.

                  Empowered Patient Coalition

                    10. National Institute on Aging

                    Find a wide variety of research-based information and resources related to health and aging.

                    National Institute on Aging

                      11. University of Kentucky

                      Self-care for patients and people seeking intentional actions to take to care for physical, mental and emotional health.

                      University of Kentucky

                        12. Best Hospitals by USNews.com

                        Find and rank the best adult and children’s hospitals. U.S. News analyzes data for almost 5,000 centers.

                        US News Health

                          13. The National Clearinghouse for Long-term Care

                          Find information and tools to plan for future long-term care needs, and learn all about long-term care.

                          LongTermCare.gov

                            14. HomeHealthCareAgencies.com

                            Extensive home health care information and a directory listing of over 12,445 Medicare-certified home health agencies and 20,746 other home care companies.

                            Home Health Care Agencies

                              15. Social Security Administration

                              Information on retirement and disability benefits, including how to sign up.

                              Social Security

                                16. Veterans Administration

                                Support and services for families caring for veterans. This site has a VA caregiver support line and offers useful information on taking care of a veteran and how to learn to care of yourself too.

                                Veterans' Caregivers

                                  17. Alzheimer’s Association

                                  Get information and support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Operates a 24/7 helpline and care navigator tools.

                                  Alz.org

                                    18. Alzheimers.gov

                                    Access the government’s free information resource about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

                                    Alzheimer's Gov

                                      19. AlzOnline

                                      This site offers quality caregiver support, education, and information.

                                      AlzOnline

                                        20. State Health Insurance Assistance Program

                                        A program that offers one-on-one insurance counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families in all states.

                                        State Health Insurance Help

                                          21. FDA.gov Drugs@FDA

                                          Search by drug name, active ingredient, or application number for medications you need help understanding.

                                          FDA Drug Information

                                            22. Caregiving.com

                                            When you care for a family member or friend, this site cares for you; a community of caregivers sharing stories, support and solutions.

                                            Caregiving.com

                                              23. Caring Across Generations

                                              Brings together aging Americans, people with disabilities, workers, and their families to protect all Americans’ right to choose the care and support they need.

                                              Caring Across Generations

                                                24. Patients Like Me

                                                Making healthcare better for everyone through sharing, support, and research. Learn from others. Connect with them. Track your health.

                                                Patients Like Me

                                                  25. SkilledNursingFacilities.org

                                                  Offers a nationwide directory listing of over 15,600 nursing homes. It also gives detailed Medicare quality ratings, inspection information and filed complaints to help consumers research.

                                                  Skilled Nursing Homes

                                                    Use these 25 information-packed, caregiving support websites to help you deal with the frustrations that accompany giving care. You’ll find peace of mind and relief.

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                                                    Good health! Good caregiving. And most of all take good care of yourself!

                                                    Featured photo credit: LivHOME via livhomeblog.com

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