Marion Resources
Easterseals compiled this list of apps to help manage some of the daily tasks of caregiving.
Easterseals Respite Services for People With Disabilities
Easterseals offers respite services that allow both caregivers and the people for whom they’re caring the opportunity to relax, recharge, and reconnect. Their respite services are offered nationwide and designed to give caregivers a much-needed break from the stress of caregiving.
Respite programs include activities like support groups and retreats for caregivers, and sleepaway camps and overnight stays for the person receiving care. Visit the respite services section of the Easterseals website to find out more.
ARCH National Respite Network and Research Center provides a National Respite Locator on its website as well as additional resources for finding respite in your community.
The National Caregivers Library provides hundreds of articles, forms, checklists and links to topic-specific external resources for caregivers.
Family Caregiver Mental Health And COVID-19
It’s important for caregivers to take care of their own mental health. Supporting caregivers with information and resources can help them maintain their mental health and better support their loved ones.
Mental Health America provides these tips to help caregivers take care of their own physical and mental health.
Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is a national nonprofit organization that aims to improve the quality of life for Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease or the frailties old age.
CAN provides a Family Caregiver Toolbox on a variety of topics.
The Arc of Illinois Family-to-Family Health Information Center and Family Voices of Illinois provide this fact sheet on possible options for help with the cost of diapers for children, youth and adults with disabilities.
PUNS is the name for the list of the people in Illinois with developmental disabilities who want or need services but do not yet have funding. Individuals who need help from the government to pay for needed Division of Developmental Disabilities Waiver services now, or in the future, should register for PUNS.
The Arc of Illinois’ Life Span Program provides an overview of how to get on the PUNS list and how to check the approximate date when you may be selected.
Family Voices Telehealth Toolkit, Tips and New Telemedicine Family Resource Center
Family-centered telehealth can help children and youth with special healthcare needs and families access health care, improve their experience with health care, reduce stress, improve communication between all team members and across systems, and improve quality of life and well-being. During the COVID-19 outbreak, telehealth is being used more and more. Family Voices features extensive resources to help families and individuals with disabilities better understand, access, prepare for and navigate telehealth appointments.
These resources are in Spanish and English.
“Before, During, and After” is a two-part toolkit providing a checklist and worksheet to help prepare for telehealth visits, note questions or key information during a visit, and provide guidance and clear follow-up steps for each appointment.
Family Voices also provides guidance on how to use telemedicine, what to expect and policy changes. (Click here for the Spanish version.)
Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide
The U.S. Department of Education released a new Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide, a resource to help parents and guardians understand how digital tools can provide tailored learning opportunities, engage students with course materials, encourage creative expression, and enrich the educational experience.
This guide aims to help all parents and caregivers, including those who have limited experience with digital tools, those who are experts with these tools and anywhere in between.