Self-Care for Caregivers

• ACAPcommunity supports adult-child caregivers in caring for aging parents and for themselves.

• Authentic Happiness is a University of Pennsylvania website that presents readings and videos on Positive Psychology, the scientific study of the strengths that promote wellbeing and enable individuals and communities to thrive. Free, on-line questionnaires provide feedback on topics like gratitude, grit, character strengths and virtues, happiness, optimism, and satisfaction with life.

• Caregiver Action Network is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with significant health needs to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. CAN (formerly the National Family Caregivers Association) is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.

• Gratefulness is an international non-profit organization that provides resources for living courageously and gratefully, despite life circumstances. Their broad mission and an array of resources promote peace, reconciliation, and healing for individuals, relationships, and the world.

• Health Journeys offers a selection of books, CDs, and other materials that teach guided imagery and other relaxation techniques to manage the effects of stressful situations. Created by a social worker and psychotherapist, the resources are available for sale in audio and video formats.

• Help Guide offers trustworthy, ad-free information and resources for dealing with life's challenges. Content focuses on mental and emotional health, family and relationships, healthy living, and caregiving. They offer an Emotional Intelligence Toolkit and articles from Harvard Health Publications, the consumer health publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

• The National Alliance for Caregiving is dedicated to improving the quality of life for caregivers and those receiving their care through an emphasis on research and advocacy. Find well-documented, solid information about caregivers and caregiving on their website, and in their print publications.

• The National Respite Network and Resource Center promotes the development of quality respite and crisis care programs in the United States. Their Family Caregiver Guide to Respite is a user-friendly tool that clarifies what respite is, and offers guidance on how to choose a respite provider. In addition, their National Respite Locator helps families and professionals find respite and crisis care services in their communities.

• Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a highly respected self-care education program for family caregivers that is presented by community-based organizations across the US. The 6-week course has been proven to improve caregivers’ well-being and effectiveness. The Caregiver Helpbook, a text used in this course, can also be purchased online.

• The Compassionate Friends provides support and understanding to families who have lost a child. They offer a resource library, online support, and chapters that are located in communities all over the world.

• The Well Spouse Association is a national, not-for-profit membership organization that gives support to wives, husbands, and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled with support groups, a quarterly newsletter, online mentors, and respite weekends.

• Willowgreen offers visually beautiful, spiritually-focused information, inspiration, and support for life transitions and aging, loss and grief, illness, and caregiving. Books, video, and audio materials.