Caregiver Resources

Taking care of a loved one can be challenging. Explore these links to learn more about the resources available to help you.

General Resources

Visit these government and private web sites for information, resources, and links to local programs.

AARP Caregiving Resource Center

Administration on Aging/Eldercare Locator

Caregiver Action Network

Caregiver Stress

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – Caregiver Partners

Family Caregiver Alliance

Family Caregiving Checklists and Information [PDF]

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging

National Caregivers Library

National Institutes of Health: Caregivers Resources

Your company may offer a work/life benefit that includes resources for eldercare. It may provide you with information, resources, and referrals related to caring for an elderly relative, including locating assisted living, long-term care, home-based services, senior centers, and support groups. Check with your human resources representative to see if this benefit is available.

Financial and Legal Resources

Discover useful sources of information for planning and managing the financial challenges of caregiving.

American Association of Daily Money Managers

Find information on the financial services provided and a directory to help locate a certified professional.

Durable Power of Attorney (Financial and Health Care)

This site offers detailed descriptions of these legal documents.

Elder Justice

Find information about fraud prevention, elder abuse, reverse mortgages, and sources for legal assistance.

Estate Planning: Wills, Trusts, and Probate

Easy-to-understand information about different estate planning methods.

Guide to Public Benefit Programs

The National Council on Aging offers this easy-to-use, searchable guide to help you locate federal, state, local, and private programs that help pay for prescription drugs, utility bills, meals, health care, and more.

Long-Term Care

A comprehensive look at the considerations and costs involved in long-term care.

National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)

This federal program works with community-based services to provide support for caregivers, including training and respite care. Your area Agency on Aging should have information on who to contact.

Personal Care Agreement

Learn more about what is involved if a loved one plans to pay you for caregiving services.

VA Caregiver Support

Caregiver Support Line: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has many programs designed to support those caring for veterans. The website and phone support line can get you in touch with local resources.

You should also be aware that there are possible caregiver tax deductions and credits available. These include:

• Medical expense deductions for dependent elders

• Qualifying Relative Exemption

• Elderly Dependent Care Federal Tax Credit (also known as Child and Dependent Care Credit)

• Credit for costs associated with home care or adult day care that allows the caregiver to go to work

Ask your tax preparer or find more information at the IRS website.

Support Resources

Get help putting all the pieces together and making it work. These websites include sources of respite care, useful technology, and handy tips for your daily juggling act.

Aging Life Care^TM Association

This nonprofit offers information on what geriatric care managers do, how to select one, and a database to search for a certified care manager in your area.

Caregiver Forum

Connect online with other caregivers and elder care experts to ask questions on a wide range of topics.

CaringBridge 

Free online service allows you to communicate health updates to others with one posting, saving time and emotional energy.

Google Docs

Store and update care information online, making it instantly available to all caregivers from any computer or smartphone.

Lotsa Helping Hands

Free online service gives family, friends, and neighbors an efficient way to ask for and offer help with caregiving tasks. The service coordinates who is doing what and sends email reminders to helpers.

Meals on Wheels America

Search by zip code to find a local program.

National Adult Day Services Association

Offers tips on what to look for in an adult day center, a site visit checklist, and searchable national adult day services database.

National Respite Network and Resource Center

Find local respite services that match your specific needs.

Any reference to the products, services, information or web sites of any other non-Cigna Healthcare^SM affiliated entity is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an endorsement by Cigna Healthcare of the products, services, information, or web sites of such entities, nor should such reference be construed as an endorsement by such entities of the products, services, information or web sites of Cigna Healthcare and/or its affiliates. Cigna Healthcare neither reviews nor controls the content and accuracy of these references or web sites, and therefore will not be responsible for their content and accuracy. Your access to non-Cigna Healthcare web sites is at your sole risk.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna Healthcare website. Cigna Healthcare may not control the content or links of non-Cigna Healthcare websites.