Phelps Health recognizes the important role that our family caregivers play in the lives and health of our patients. We have compiled the following information in an effort to assist caregivers in accessing the resources, services, and tools needed to provide the best care possible while also providing some information on compassion fatigue and ideas for self-care.
Self-Care
“Self-care is not selfish…You cannot serve from an empty vessel”
-Eleanor Brown
Caregiving can have rewards, but it also comes with sacrifice. It is important to be aware of how you feel and ensure that you are practicing good self-care so that you can manage the day to day stress of caregiving. Below are some tools and resources to help you along your caregiving journey.
Preparedness for Caregiver Scale A helpful assessment to understanding your level of preparedness to provide caregiving for someone who has had a recent exacerbation of illness or hospitalization and allows you to identify in writing what areas you need more training or education in.
Compassion Fatigue Flyer What is Compassion Fatigue and what can I do to prevent it?
Support Groups See a calendar of support groups at Phelps Health.
Additional Resources:
- Caregiver.org
- Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself
- Fact Sheet: Taking Care of You: Self-Care for Family Caregivers
- 16 Ideas for Recharging Your Caregiving Energy
- A Guide to Caregiver Self-Care
- Self-Care by Montgomery Hospice
- Self-Care Checklist for Caregivers
- Caregiver Self-Care Activity Book
- Self-Care Guide: How to Ease Caregiver Stress
Services for Older Adults
Helpful Resources and Websites
- www.caregiveraction.org
- www.caregiver.org
- https://www.caregiver.va.gov
- www.alz.org
- http://www.caregiverslibrary.org/
- https://www.aarp.org/
- https://www.caringinfo.org/
- https://www.va.gov/
- https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
- https://health.mo.gov/seniors
- Senior and Disability Services
- Adult Abuse and Neglect Online Reporting
- Online referral for Home and Community Based Services
- Online Person Centered Care Planning
- https://www.usa.gov/disability-caregiver
- Missouri Area Agencies on Aging
- https://agingbest.org/
- Missouri Senior Resource Guide
Discharge Planning
Hospitalization and Discharge Planning
When your loved one is hospitalized it can be an overwhelming task to navigate your role as the caregiver. Below are some tools that can help you better communicate with the healthcare team and prepare yourself for resumption of caregiving after discharge
The Preparedness for Caregiving Scale
Care Coordination Team Brochure
Additional Resrouces:
Advance Care Planning
Advance Care Planning documents allow individuals to express their unique choices regarding their medical treatment and end-of -life care to their family members, caregivers, and healthcare providers. It is encouraged that every adult have ACP documents completed. Below you will find some helpful resources to initiate and document those conversations
Insurance and Financial Assistance
EnrollU
The Phelps Health EnrollU team is here to help you with any questions about health insurance coverage.
Transportation
Always check with your insurance plan for transportation assistance.
- Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation)
- SMTS
- United Health Care Community Plan transportation services call (866) 292-0359.
- Home State Health transportation services call (855) 694-4663 or visit here.
- Healthy Blue--eligible members can schedule rides to and from your doctor’s office. Call Medical Transportation Management (MTM) at 888-597-1193
Nursing Homes and Other Care
- Find and compare local area nursing homes here
- https://health.mo.gov/seniors/nursinghomes/selectnh.php
Durable Medical Equipment
This website has great educational videos on how to use durable medical equipment in your home.