If you’re an adult child faced with caring for an aging parent, you don’t have to do it alone. There are a number of resources that can provide you with information, training, and support. Here is a list of just some of what is available.
   Books

A Dignified Life: The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s Care – A Guide for Family Caregivers. 2002. Virginia Bell & David Tropel. Deerfield Beach, GL: Health Communications, Inc.

Caring for the Patient with Cancer at Home: A Guide for Patients and Families. 1998. American Cancer Society. Atlanta: American Cancer Society.

How to Care for Your Aging Parents…and Still Have a Life of Your Own! 1992. Michael Dolan. Los Angeles: Mulholland Pacific.

Always On Call: When Illness Turns Families into Caregivers. 2000. Carol Levine, (Ed.). New York: New York United Hospital Fund.

Alzheimer’s Early Stages: First Steps for Family, Friends, & Caregivers. 2003. Daniel Kuhn. Alameda, CA: Hunter House, Inc.

Complete Guide to Health Services for Seniors. 2000. Trudy Lieberman. New York: Three Rivers Press.
   Magazines

Today’s Caregiver Magazine (www.caregiver.com) is a bi-monthly magazine published by Caregiver Media Group, which also hosts annual caregiver conferences, and publishes a weekly email newsletter.

HomeCare Magazine (http://hz.pbsub.com) publishes a monthly print magazine and weekly e-newsletter.

Organizations

National Family Caregivers Support Program (http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/caregiver.asp) is run by the Department of Health and Human Services. Its Web site offers articles and information, as well as links to other support and services.

The Family Caregiver Alliance (http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/home.jsp) is a non-profit organization founded in 1977 and offers programs at national, state, and local levels for caregivers.

The Western and Central Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alzwa.org) is headquartered in Seattle, but lists a number of Kitsap County support group meetings on its Web site, as well as other resources, including informational articles and classes for families and caregivers.

Senior Services (www.seniorservices.org) is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization serving Washington’s older residents. It offers a number of programs and services, including caregiver outreach and support.
   Local

Kitsap Home Care (www.kitsaphomecare.com) is an in-home care agency that also offers training classes that are open to the public. Training topics include Fundamentals of Care Giving, CPR, and Fall Risks.

Abiding Home Care (www.abidinghomecare.com) is also a local agency that provides in-home care services. They teach classes throughout the community on fall prevention and distribute the book, The Caregiver Zone, to families during initial care assessments.

Group Health Cooperative (www.ghc.org) offers a caregiver support group in Port Orchard the third Thursday of each month at the Port Orchard Medical Center.

The Green Mountain Center of EADS in Bremerton has an information center with brochures and pamphlets on assisted living centers, support groups, and more.