I often write about children’s issues, including topics within the realm of special education. So, this blog will be a bit out of my comfort zone, as I don’t know much about geriatrics. But, I am willing to learn, inform and of course, have you participate in the discussion.
Recently, my friend, Denise Graab, who I knew via Education.com, made a career change and accepted a position via Caring.com. When I announced the Twitter Charity Scarf Campaign back in January she was one of the first to respond! Through Denise I have learned so much about what is available for families who have aging relatives in need of real assistance. The Caring.com website is dedicated to caregivers- such as families assisting an elderly parent with Alzheimer’s.
There are many excellent programs integrated in to the Caring.com website, including a new Step &Stages Program Here is the 411 about this program taken from their materials:
Have you tried Steps & Stages, Caring.com’s newest resource for Alzheimer’s caregiving? Developed by a practicing geriatrician, a geriatric psychiatrist and other Alzheimer’s specialists, Steps & Stages includes a free Custom Care Guide, customized e-mail newsletters, and stage-based support groups to help family caregivers navigate the overwhelming Alzheimer’s journey: http://bit.ly/SnS_ALZofferFB
- Personalized: “I’ve never seen this anywhere else. I can plug in information about my husband’s symptoms and Steps & Stages explains in detail why this is happening – and what I can do about it.”
- Relevant: “I can communicate better with doctors, and it gives me actual quotes I can use with my mom, too – giving me words that are really hard to find myself.”
- Helpful: “The tips are helpful, both in letting me know how to take care of my mom and in reminding me to take care of myself.”
- Supportive: “It provides the help and support I need to cope with what’s happening now and what’s coming next.”
If you haven’t already done so, we hope you will now try this new Alzheimer’s resource that’s earning praise from caregivers: http://bit.ly/SnS_ALZofferFB
For those who have already benefited from Steps & Stages previously: Please tell a friend as there are 11 million Americans who are providing unpaid care to a family member or friend with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. With Steps & Stages, they can get free help in assessing a loved one’s stage, better understand what symptoms to expect and how to cope with them, and connect to others in similar situations.
Caring.com generously supported the TwitterCharityScarf campaign with a donation to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
Here are great ways to connect with Caring.com
Website: Caring.com
**** On another note.. look for a very special announcement as 411Voices will be launched very soon- A collective of professionals all coming together to be informative, creative, educational and collaborative. You will find a ton of information on our new website and soon to be radio platform.
So stay tuned for 411Voices…. 
Tweeting as @411Voices
Look for our 411 on Facebook: 
Thanks very much Louise for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful campaign, and for helping to spread the word about Steps & Stages: http://www.caring.com/steps-stages/alzheimers
In addition to the social links you provided above, another way to connect with Caring.com is on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/caring
Thanks again!