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) adds 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 AA&MDSIF.
In most states this document lets you inform your family and 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) 5 WISHES (594-7437).
Hospice
Children's Hospice International
(800) 4-2-CHILD
Children's Hospice International provides care for children from the time of their diagnosis with a life-threatening condition with hope for a cure, through bereavement if a cure is not attained.
International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care
(866) 374 2472
Promoting universal access to high-quality palliative care, integrated in a continuum of care with disease prevention and treatment, to assure that no patient or family caregiver suffers unnecessarily.
- Listing of American Hospice Organizations
- Listing of Canadian Hospice Organizations
- Worldwide Hospice Organizations
This non-profit, Internet resource provides information and support to patients and families facing a life-threatening illness.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
The NHPCO Helpline: (800) 658-8898
NHPCO's Multilingual HelpLine: (877) 658-8896
This nonprofit organization provides information for professionals, caregivers, and families.
The Veterans Administration has joined forces with hospice to better serve and meet the needs of its terminally ill veterans.
Caregivers
(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."
(800) 896-3650
The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the than 65 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN (formerly the National Family Caregivers Association) is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.”
HelpLine: (800) 658-889
Multilingual Line: (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
The Well Spouse® Association, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, advocates for and addresses the needs of individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse/partner. They offer peer to peer support and educate health care professionals and the general public about the special challenges and unique issues "well" spouses face every day.