Care Planning

Lotsa Helping Hands
Five Wishes
Hospice Care
Caregivers

Lotsa Helping Hands

When friends and family ask, "What can I do to help?" Lotsa Helping Hands is just the tool you need. It is a free, personalized, electronic calendar on the Internet that helps you organize and manage the care and assistance offered by family and friends.

Here's how it works:

One person (or several) signs up to coordinate the calendar. It takes only minutes to create.
The coordinator(s) add the names and email addresses of friends and families who want to help.
Coordinators list needs (meals, rides, etc.) on the group calendar.
Friends and families check to see what's needed and sign up to help.
The calendar automatically sends reminder emails to those who volunteer.
The calendar is flexible--changes can be made.
This service allows you to easily coordinate and offer support for loved ones in need. Lotsa Helping Hands is a free service offered to you through a partnership between Lotsa Helping Hands and the AA&MDSIF.

Five Wishes - Living Will

In most states this document lets you inform your family & health care team about your personal wishes when you are unable to speak for yourself. It covers your medical, personal, emotional and financial concerns and gives you the opportunity to discuss all of these life issues with those affected. You can get a copy by ordering online at www.agingwithdignity.org or calling 888.5WISHES (594.7437)

Hospice

Children's Hospice International
http://www.chionline.org/
CHI provides care for children from the time of their diagnosis with a life-threatening condition with hope for a cure, through bereavement if cure is not attained.

Hospice International
www.nhpc.org
800.646.6460
"The organization is committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones."

Hospice Net
http://hospicenet.org/
This, non-profit, Internet resource provides information and support to patients and families facing life-threatening illness.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
http://www.nhpco.org
The NHPCO Helpline: 800.658.8898
Nonprofit organization that provides information for professionals, caregivers & families.

Palliative Care for Veterans
http://www.hospice.va.gov/
The Veterans Administration has joined forces with hospice to better serve and meet the needs of its terminally ill veterans.

Caregivers

Family Caregivers Alliance
www.caregiver.org
800.445.8106
"Founded in 1977, Family Caregiver Alliance was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers programs at national, state and local levels to support and sustain caregivers.

National Family Caregivers Association
http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/about
800.896.3650
The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) supports, empowers, educates, and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for a chronically ill, aged, or disabled loved one.

Caring Connections
http://www.caringinfo.org/
800.658.8898 in spanish 877.658.8896
Caring Connections helps caregivers and family members care for those with chronic illness and if the time comes make end-of-life decisions.

Well Spouse Foundation
http://www.wellspouse.org/information.html
800.838.0879
"Well Spouse is a national, not for profit membership organization which gives support to wives, husbands, and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled. Well Spouse support groups meet monthly."

^{Last Modified: November 21, 2006}