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Caregiving has quickly become an expected life event, just like getting married, having children, working and retiring. If you are not already providing care or support for a family member or friend, chances are you will at some time during your life. Our starter kit provides five of our most requested articles/support resources. These are foundational to caregiving and provide essential insight and information to help people serving as caregivers. The starter includes the following:

10 CONSIDERATIONS - These ten questions can help family members informally assess functional abilities and determine if loved one(s) may be at risk or need assistance. (A variation of this article written by Charles Puchta was published in the Wall Street Journal on November 17, 2002). It is important to realize that an aging parent or ill spouse may not proactively ask for help. Many older people place a high value on their privacy and have been self-sufficient most of their lives. Others may not wish to recognize and acknowledge their struggles, or they simply do not want to be a burden. Often it is up to the adult children to recognize a parent’s limitations and offer assistance and encouragement. Review the following 10 [questions] Considerations to help you determine if it might be time to get more involved and help a loved one address challenges he or she may be facing.
CAREGIVER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES - We find that many people underestimate what is involved in providing compassionate care. When you think of caregiving, what comes to mind? Most people think about the more tangible aspects of caregiving such as helping with meals, medication, house chores, driving to medical appointments, etc. In addition to performing tasks, caregivers also serve in many different roles. This article identifies and explains that various caregiving roles and responsiblities.
GETTING STARTED - When a medical condition is diagnosed, or an age-related health-related concern becomes apparent, people often search for information to make sense of their situation. From weekly magazines and tabloids, to infomercials and the internet, there is no shortage of information and advice. Unfortunately, much of the available information is antidotal, outdated or sales oriented. In this article we share the names, website addresses and phone numbers of select organizations that we believe offer credible and helpful health-related information. We offer recommendations specific to 1.) Medical Conditions, 2.) Prescription Drugs, 3.) Aging and Caregiving, 4.) Government Programs & Services, 5.) Driving, 6.) Nursing Homes & Home Health Care, and 7.) Finding Local Resources.
LOOK CLOSER, SEE ME - People want to be defined by their personhood and personality, not by their age or a medical condition. The reality is that many people in our society regularly refer to older adults using derogatory terms. What they forget is every older adult was once a child, a teenager, middle aged, etc. Look Closer, See Me is an insightful poem which shares the importance of seeing a person for who he or she is, not simply how one appears. The woman who wrote the poem died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital in Scotland, it was believed she had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through her belongings, they found this beautiful poem.
REASONS CAREGIVING IS CHALLENGING - Although everyone’s situation is different, the basic challenges and predominant issues usually are the same. I find that people are better able to cope and are more apt to act when they understand the issues with which they are dealing. Findings from research that I conducted over a three-year period indicated five main reasons family caregivers often find themselves overwhelmed and unprepared. Whether you are preparing for future responsibility or are already a caregiver, I expect you will be able to relate to the findings, and that you may even respond by thinking that makes sense or now I understand.

For additional information you may find Charles Puchta's newest book CAREGIVING Ready or Not (Released December 1, 2009) to be a value resource.