Help, Info, and Support: A few great organizations
Providing care for an ill or aging loved one, friend, neighbor, or fellow church member can be a life-changing experience - one that transforms you in 'doing the good beyond yourself' and frees you to love more deeply than you ever thought possible. But care giving can also feel burdensome at times, especially if you don't have the support or assistance you need, communication is impaired, or resources are insufficient or unavailable.
TCA has put together an annotated bibliography of a few great organizations who can help you with the information, resources, and help you-and your loved ones-so desperately need.
This wonderful, heart-filled organization was founded by teen Gloria Straus's parents and others who want to 'walk the walk' with those who need support and help when caring for an ill loved one.
Gloria's Angels walks with families from end to end when families are faced with a life-threatening illness. Our organization maintains a network of community-based volunteers, in-kind service providers and relationships with other service agencies (e.g., hospitals, DSHS, etc.). We do not intend to replace services already provided by other agencies. However, we do intend to serve as the "Guardian Angel" that can help families navigate the confusing maze of services available. Where gaps exist, we will provide offerings to fill those gaps"
Monica and Bill Dodds have a wealth of personal care giving experience and life wisdom which is reflected in their organization, the great book they've written, and the practical, common sense, wisdom-infused web articles available in the Topic Section of their web site, including check lists for family caregivers, evaluating topics such as 'what help does Mom or Dad really need?, housing options, assisted living facility evaluation checklist, nursing home evaluation checklist, home safely checklist, along with other helpful care giving topics. The Dodd's also have a wonderfully transcendent spiritual perspective which helps them help others through the difficulties of giving or receiving care.
Consoling Communities builds community support in illness and grief. The web site, developed by TCA President Eileen Geller, has a free on-line book, entitled The Guide for Care and Support During Serious Illness. This Guide for Care and Support includes print and take forms with Questions to ask your Doctor at diagnosis and during treatment, as well as caregiver and spiritual support.
Consoling Communities provides effective, replicable, and easy to use illness and grief support programs. We provide education and training to organizations and businesses, along with consolation, information, and resources to those who are ill or grieving.
Consoling Grace provides supportive information and training to faith communities seeking to enhance their support during serious illness and grief. From within a Christian faith perspective, "Consoling Grace facilitates improved life-affirming care, support, information and resources for ill and grieving persons and their families - and for the churches and organizations that serve them." The web site, developed with the assistance of TCA President Eileen Geller, also contains a wide variety of informational articles, support, and compassionate accompaniment.
Started recently in Orange County, California, Loving Back provides a combination of information and resources, along with virtual support via an on-line caregiver community.
"Caregivers face many challenges as they search for information and make decisions about how best to provide care to their loved ones. Caring for an aging parent, spouse or other family member can be very stressful, especially when a crisis hits and the responsibilities of caregiving descend upon you unexpectedly. The Loving Back Caregiver Toolkit is designed to provide you with tips, tools and ideas to support you in caring for your aging loved ones."