If you're caring for a loved one, the coronavirus may be creating some special challenges.  This page contains NEW resources as well as valuable previously-posted resources.

Anyone needing assistance finding food, shelter, rent or utility assistance, or other essential services, CALL 211 or TEXT your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help 24/7. 

MAY 27 POSTING
From Caregiver SOS (Telephone conference calls from the WellMed Foundation).  Conferences offered in English and Spanish.

• Click on the links to register for these upcoming Teleconnections:
  • May 27, 10:00 am, Coping with the COVID-19: Issues for Caregivers
  • May 28, 11:00 am, Legal Issues for Caregivers
  • June 2, 11:00 am, Frontotemporal Degeneration: What it is, What it isn’t and What are the Signs and Symptoms
  • June 3, 10:00 am, How has COVID-19 changed our view on long-term care facilities?
  • June 4, 10:00 am, How has COVID-19 affected the LGBT community? 
• Click HERE for additional upcoming events. 
• Click HERE for links to audio recordings of past events and resources in Spanish.
  
  

From the Alzheimer’s Foundation (English/Spanish)

• NEW CLASSES EVERY DAY.  Free Community Classes on art, music, exercise and more. Click HERE to view.  
• Coronavirus Information for Family Caregivers.  Click HERE for webinar and practical care tips.   
• June 16, 9:30-12:30 EDT.  Educating America New York Virtual Tour.  Conferences focuses on Alzheimer's and other dementia and COVID-19.  Click HERE to learn more and register.
  
  

From the Family Caregiver Alliance (English, Cantonese, and Spanish)

• Tuesdays, June 2 through June 23, 1:00-2:00 pm, Pacific Time, Let’s Get Away, Together! Click HERE and scroll down to calendar to enjoy virtual travel to interesting places.
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Tales & Travel Adventures: Let’s Visit…Chicago, from Mary Beth Riedner, creator of Tales & Travel Memories.  Click HERE to participate in this interactive Chicago tour with a loved one... or enjoy on your own.  Program is available 24/7.  (Click on the video icon and then click on “Full Screen”.)

From Teepa Snow:  Specialized Dementia Care and Considerations in a COVID-19 World (webinar).  Click HERE to view.

From the Lake County CaregiverNet and White Crane, Stress Busters for Family Caregivers, starting June 9 via Zoom.  Please contact me at 847-596-8226 if you have technology needs.  Phone participation is also possible. Click HERE to learn more and to register.  

If you missed Loretta Veney (Being My Mom's Mom) on her two previous visits to Lake County (or if you want to see her again), click HERE to see and hear Loretta on YouTube.

The Alzheimer's Association has released COVID-19 long-term care policy recommendations focused on Improving the State and Federal Response to COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Settings.  Click HERE to download and share.

APRIL 17 POSTING
Caregiver SOS (Telephone conference calls from the WellMed Foundation).  Conferences offered in English and Spanish.

• Tuesday, April 28, Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, 11am-noon, Central Daylight Savings Time.  Click HERE to register.
• Click HERE to view other upcoming events.
• Click HERE for links to audio recordings of past events

Alzheimer’s Foundation (English/Spanish)

• NEW CLASSES EVERY DAY.  Free Community Classes on art, music, exercise and more. Click HERE to view. 

Family Caregiver Alliance (English, Cantonese, and Spanish)

• Tuesday, April 23, COVID-19 and Caring for Individuals With Alzheimer's, 5pm-6pm.  Click HERE to register.
• Tuesdays, April 28 through May 19, Let’s Get Away, Together!
  A six-part armchair travel series for caregivers, 3pm-4pm.  Register early; seating is limited.
  • Click HERE to register for April 28.
  • Click HERE to register for May 5.
  • Click HERE to register for May 12.
  • Click HERE to register for May 19.

Home Instead.  Covid-19 Facebook Live Series. Click HERE to access.

From Alzheimer's Disease International.  COVID-19 and dementia: Difficult decisions about hospital admission and triage (English & Spanish).  Click HERE to access.
From the National Alliance for Caregiving et al.  Support Family Caregivers (resources and support guide for family caregivers).  Click HERE to access.

Resources for Staying Engaged During Physical Distancing

• ElderCARE of Lake County is temporarily transitioning their Friendly Visiting program to Friendly phone conversations to engage older adults and assess what needs they might have during this time. Call (847) 406-4683 or email info@eldercarelakecounty.org. 
• Lake County Sheriff’s Office “Are You Okay?” (R.U.O.K) is a personal wellness check made by phone to home-bound residents at a pre-determined time each day. Contact Community Services Team via email or at (847) 377-4211 
• Covia Well Connected.  FREE phone and online program offering activities, education, friendly conversation, classes and support groups targeting older adults. The current catalog can be found here.
• Mather Lifeways Telephone Topics   Participants call a toll-free number to listen to a wide range of interesting discussions and programs. There is no cost to participate. Call (888) 600-2560 to get started. To learn more, click here. 
• Need help with your mobile device?  Not sure how to use your mobile device (tablet, smartphone or laptop) to connect to online programs? Check out these fact sheets on how to use mobile devices for social connection:  Apple Mobile Device, Android Mobile Device
• Looking for activities to do while at home?  AgeGuide has also compiled a number of virtual activities including virtual tours of museums, zoos, national parks and more to keep older adults connected during this time. To view the list, click here.

APRIL 10 POSTING
Caregiver SOS (Telephone conference calls from the WellMed Foundation).  Conferences offered in English and Spanish.

• Monday, April 13, Frequently Asked Legal Questions, noon-1:00 Central Daylight Savings Time.  Click HERE to register.
• Click HERE to view other upcoming events.
• Click HERE for links to audio recordings of past events

Alzheimer’s Foundation (English/Spanish)

• Free Community Classes on art, music, exercise and more.  A new class every day.  Click HERE to view. 
• Tips for Staying Connected to a Loved One in a Long Term Care Setting.  Click HERE to view.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

• Thurs., April 16, Calming Anxiety and Fear:  Coronavirus (COVID-19), noon-1:00 CDT.  Click HERE to register.

Mentally Healthy Distractions for You and Your Loved Ones

• Senior Learning Network.  Click HERE to download the list of FREE of learning and entertainment programs available in April and May.
• Audible Books.  Amazon is offering access to these audio books (selected for kids but suitable for all ages) FREE of charge.  No sign-up required.  Click HERE to access.
• Wide Open School.  Excellent online learning experiences for kids.  Click HERE to access.
• National Alliance of Mental Health "Covid-19 Resource and Information Guide".  Click HERE to access.
  
  

PREVIOUSLY-POSTED RESOURCES
Recorded Webinars/Teleconferences:  

• AARP Tele-Town Halls:  Coronavirus Information (weekly starting March 10).  
• Lymphoma Research Foundation webinar:  Coronavirus and What the Lymphoma Community Needs to Know (from March 19)
• National Health Council webinar:  Coronavirus Preparedness for People with Chronic Diseases:  What Do Caregivers Need to Know?   (from March 26) 
• Wellmed Caregiver Support Webinar (Spanish):  Cómo hacerle frente al brote del Coronavirus en su papel de cuidador (from March 27)  
• Wellmed Caregiver Support Webinar (English):  Coping With the Coronavirus Outbreak While Caregiving (from March 18).  

Other:

• Institute on Aging Friendship Line:  Dedicated older adult phone line providing 
  • a crisis intervention center and
  • a “warm” line for routine, even daily, phone calls that provide emotional support, medication reminders and well-being check-ins.  
• Alzheimer's Foundation (English & Spanish):  Webpage includes coronavirus for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. It also includes
  • steps caregivers can take to help prevent the spread,
  • caregiving tips,
  • therapeutic activities,
  • and more.
• From the Alzheimer's Association.  Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for Dementia Caregivers
• From the National Alliance of Caregiving and Caring Across Generations.  See Tips for Sandwich Caregivers in the Era of COVID-19 HERE. This tip sheet can be helpful to all caregivers responsible for both the young and old.
• From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Find tips on how to decrease the spread of Coronavirus HERE.  Learn to take action in your community HERE.  Stay updated HERE. 
• From the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  See COVID-19 FAQ's for State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Agencies HERE.  Keep up-to-date on the important work CMS is doing in response to COVID-19 HERE.
• From The John A. Hartford Foundation*.  Find an updated list of resources from the John A. Hartford Foundation's partners HERE.
• From the Administration for Community Living (ACL)*.  See ACL'S COVID-19 site HERE.
• From the Gerontological Society of America (GSA)*.  See GSA's resource page on COVID-19 HERE. Read tips on social distancing HERE.
• For local assistance caring for an older adult, click HERE to contact Age Guide our local Area Agency on Aging,
• For other health concerns in Lake County, click HERE to contact the Lake County Health Department.  

Organizations that may be new to you... 

• The John A. Hartford Foundation focuses especially on older adults and other individuals at highest risk because of COVID-19 and their healthcare providers.
• The Administration for Community Living serves older adults and all people with disabilities.
• The Gerontological Society of America is a multidisciplinary organization devoted to research and education in all aspects of aging.

If you know of additional resources that would be helpful to caregivers or need additional help with locating resources yourself, please contact me at LessonsinCare@gmail.com or 847-596-8226.

With best wishes for you health and the health of your loved ones,
Chris Damon, Gerontologist
President
Lake County CaregiverNet

PS:  With apologies in advance for any errors on this page, please let me know at the email address listed above.  Thank you.