Are you a Caregiver?
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"There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers." – Rosalynn Carter
53 million
Approximately 53 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the last 12 months [1].
16.3 million
About 16.3 million adult family caregivers care for someone with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disorder [2].
Hiring In-Home Help and Support
Family caregivers cannot do everything all the time and may want to consider hiring someone to help. Finding the right person to help your family member can be complicated and the safety of your family member should be the top priority.
- Enroll your loved one in the Home Care Program
- AARP's How to Hire a Caregiver outlines the different types of in-home caregivers and offers steps to take when hiring a caregiver.
- The Family Caregiver Alliance's Hiring In-Home Help includes key questions to ask when hiring a caregiver.
- Medicare's Home Health Compare helps you to compare home health agencies.
- MassHealth Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Program includes a list of Personal Care Management (PCM) Agencies which can help you find a PCA.
Technology for Caregivers
Technology has changed a lot over the years and is becoming useful in ways we never could have imagined. Today, there are many tools that can help family caregivers and their families. These include websites, apps, sensors, devices and digital health platforms. Technology helps caregivers find what they need, stay organized, and connect with others. It also helps older adults and those living with disabilities stay independent.
- MassMatch connects people to Assistive Technology for help with communication and mobility.
- The Massachusetts eHealth Institute is the designated state agency for health technology.
- Massachusetts Broadband Institute aims to make affordable high-speed Internet available to all homes, businesses, schools, libraries, medical facilities, government offices, and other public places across the Commonwealth.