Sleep in Older Adults
This handout reviews both the daily sleep/wake and nighttime sleep cycles along with common sleep disorders in older adults. It also discusses cognitive behavioral therapies for insomnia.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Issues for Older Adults
This handout discusses both the pharmacologic and non-pharmacological treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. It also reviews special issues for older adults with rheumatoid arthritis.
Religion and End of life Part 1: How Different Religions View the End of Life
This handout discusses the major religions and how they view end-of-life care. It also reviews pre-death and post-death rituals within these religions along with their views on do not resuscitate orders. Finally, it provides information on how to communicate with family and loved ones of patients who are approaching death or have died.
Behavior Issues
This tipsheet offers guidance for handling common behavioral concerns to help caregivers better understand what their loved ones with dementia or other conditions may be feeling or trying to communicate. An online and printer-friendly version are available.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance, 2017.
https://www.caregiver.org/
Understanding Palliative/Supportive Care: What Every Caregiver Should Know
This fact sheet summarizes key features of palliative care, describes how it differs from hospice care, and clarifies some of the misconceptions that prevent people from considering palliative care for themselves or for loved ones. Links to relevant resources, organizations, and other fact sheets are included. An online and printer-friendly version are available.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance, 2016.
https://www.caregiver.org/
Caregiver's Guide to Medication and Aging
This fact sheet provides a guide to caregivers about medication use in older adults and people with disabilities. It describes how a pharmacist can help with challenges encountered when taking medications, provides questions to ask physicians and pharmacists about medications, a list of signs and symptoms that can occur with medication-related problems, and the basics of safe medication use. An online and printer-friendly version are available.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance, 2017.
Pathways to Effective Communication for Healthcare Providers and Caregivers
This fact sheet offers tips to remove barriers and encourage conversations between caregivers and healthcare providers. It provides advice for preparing for the medical appointment, recommends questions to ask during the appointment, discusses how to advocate for the person receiving care, and recommends important items to discuss at discharge. Links to relevant resources, organizations, and other fact sheets are included. An online and printer-friendly version are available.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance, 2015.
Caregiving 101: On Being a Caregiver
This fact sheet describes the caregiver's role and basic tasks. It discusses how caregivers can practice self-care, develop coping skills, and ask for help when they need it. Links to relevant resources, organizations, and other fact sheets are included. An audio recording of the fact sheet is provided. An online and printer-friendly version are available.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance, 2016.
https://www.caregiver.org/
Caregiver's Guide to Understanding Dementia Behaviors
This fact sheet provides caregivers with some practical strategies for dealing with the troubling behavior problems and communication difficulties often encountered when caring for a person with dementia. Links to relevant resources, organizations, and other fact sheets are included. An audio recording and printer-friencly version of the fact sheet are provided.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance, 2016.
https://www.caregiver.org/
Advanced Illness: Feeding Tubes and Ventilators
This fact sheet provides caregivers with education on feeding tubes and ventilators and how to make the decision to initiate these types of therapies. It also helps caregivers recognize early warning signs of an impending medical crisis so that decisions can be made prior to a crisis. Links to relevant resources, organizations, and tipsheets are included. An online and printer-friendly version are available.
Source: Familty Caregiver Alliance, 2013.
https://www.caregiver.org/