Support Resources
The Krames Health Library provides access to articles and fact sheets on health topics. Search health topics, such as cold or flu symptoms, high blood pressure, and heart health.
A free health information line! No matter what time it is or what day it is, you can always call our Nurse Advice Line. When you call, you'll speak to registered nurses. The nurses can give you advice on any health-related problem. They are ready to help you now at 1-877-658-0305 (For TTY, contact California Relay by dialing 711 and provide the 1-877-658-0305 number).
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Center
- You can find videos made by the UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Program. The videos cover:
- Sundowning
- Wandering
- Bathing
- Repetition
- Delusions
- Refusal to take medications
- Alzheimers.gov has material about diagnosis, training and support for caregivers.
- The Family Caregiver Alliance has a fact sheet to help caregivers know the normal actions of those living with dementia.
- Home safety tips by the Alzheimer's Association
Coping with challenging conduct
- Family Caregivers Online – Behavior and Emotions of Aging
- Family Caregiver Alliance – Behavior Management Strategies
Legal topics to think about
End of Life
Call California Health & Wellness Member Services at 1-877-658-0305 (TTY: 711) and follow the prompts for a current mental health crisis.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Call Center
Kind and caring help for people in any type of crisis – 1-775-784-8090 or 1-800-273-8255
Friendship Line
A crisis hotline and a warm line for non-urgent calls. This line provides support services, such as:
- Suicide prevention
- Emotional support
- Elder abuse prevention and treatment
- Well-being checks
- Grief support
- Information and referrals for older adults or adults with disabilities - 1-800-971-0016
Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Support Line – 1-800-272-3900
211 Program
The 2-1-1 program is a free, private service to help find local resources, including:
- Food and nutrition programs
- Shelter and housing
- Utilities support
- Disaster relief
- Jobs
- Addiction prevention and rehab programs
- Re-entry support for ex-offenders
- Support groups
- Safe help out of an abusive state
Call 211 to speak with a service expert in your area.
- Smart Patients Caregiver Community
- A union between Family Caregiver Alliance and Smart Patients to create an online group for people and their caregivers.
- Find a nearby support group by calling your local Area Agency on Aging or using the Eldercare Locator.
- AARP Online Caregiver Community
- Alzheimer's/Dementia Specific: ALZConnected®
- Caregiver Action Network's Care Community
Caring for someone is rarely easy and can take much of your time. To help care for others, caregivers need to make time to care for themselves.
Keep in mind the tips below to help you take care of yourself:
- No one is perfect. You will make mistakes.
- Many emotions surface when you are caring for someone.
- Depression is a common feeling while giving care.
- Think you may have caregiver depression? Depression - What is and What is Not
- Give yourself and your loved one an honest outlook.
- Use the info and tools offered to you.
- Know the skills needed to care for someone else. Know your limits about what you can and cannot do.
- Learn to say, "No."
- Take help from others.
- Be resilient.
- Know your own stress triggers.
- For healthy coping:
- Eat right
- Exercise
- Sleep
Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Caregivers Fact Sheet on personal care for caregivers.
Nutrition Resources:
nutrition.gov
Other resources:
Physical activity information
Disease-specific nutrition information
Mental and emotional health information
AARP
aarp.org
Brain Injury Association of America
BIAUSA.org
Caregiver Action Network (CAN)
Caregiveraction.org
Dementia/Alzheimer's
ALZ.org
1-800-272-3900
Disability
Disability.gov
Eldercare Locator
1.800.677.1116
Eldercare.gov
Family Caregiver Alliance
Caregiver.org
1-800-445-8106
Medicaid
Medicaid.gov
Medicare
Medicare.gov
MedlinePlus: End of Life Issues
Medlineplus.gov/endoflifeissues.html
Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
POLST.org
Serious Mental Illness
NAMI.org
1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Stroke
Stroke.org
1-800-STROKES (787-6537)
U.S. Living Will Registry®
uslivingwillregistry.com
National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD)
Nasuad.org