When I was caring for my mother, I was constantly looking for information about her illness, its stages and symptoms, the most recent treatment and care options, health insurance, legal and financial ramifications, or a network of other caregivers to talk to. Google was useful, but I occasionally questioned the accuracy or intent of some of the websites and their content. In most cases, becoming a family caregiver occurs unexpectedly, and most people are overwhelmed by the large amount of information that they must process.
SimpliTend understands the stress and anxiety that our family caregivers are under, and we want to support them in any way we can. That is why we decided to prepare a list of resources that we believe will be valuable for new family caregivers. This is not a comprehensive list, and we intentionally kept it short and focused on essential sites so that our users are not overwhelmed by information. However, this is a working list that we will update as additional resources become available or as our readers provide comments.
Here are some important websites that provide valuable information and support for caregivers:
Parkinson's Foundation: Offers care training for healthcare professionals, and resources for care partners, including referrals to care professionals, local resources, and care partner courses. You can also contact the helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) or helpline@Parkinson.org.
American Parkinson's Disease Association: Has resources for caregivers of people with Parkinson's disease. You can call them at 1-800-223-2732. APDA also offers virtual exercise classes and a YouTube channel with free online classes for people with PD.
VA Caregiver Support Program: Has resources for caregivers of veterans with Parkinson's disease
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: Has educational material focused on Parkinson's disease and resources for caregivers of people with Parkinson's disease.
National Alliance for Caregiving: Offers education seminars, enrichment resources, and connections to other caregivers
Parkinson's Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA) offers online Parkinson’s wellness classes and access to dozens of yoga, boxing, aerobics, exercise, singing, and communication resources taught over Zoom every week.