Internet Resources to Help Relieve Caregiver Stress

Caregiving
Web sites especially for caregivers

• Caregiver
  Online Magazine addressing caregiver issues, including stress
• Caregiving.com
  Comprehensive site for caregivers. Addresses stress issues.

Health education
Web sites with a wide range of health information sponsored by respected sources

• Medscape
  Free, but you must register
• Mayo Clinic
  
• iVillage
  Specific focus on women’s issues

Dementia-specific health education

• Alzheimer’s Association
• Eldercare Online
  Education and support for people caring for aging loved ones, especially those with Alzheimer’s Disease
• Ageless Design
  Information on modifying home for the safety and comfort of those with dementia, and other resources

Online Communities
Opportunities to "talk with" and receive support from other caregivers and professionals via the Internet

• AARP Webplace Discussion Boards
  Message boards on many topics related to aging, including caregiver issues
• Alzheimer
  Very active Alzheimer’s discussion list comprised of caregivers. Hosted by Washington University in Saint Louis
• Parkinson
  Community list about Parkinson’s Disease
• Candid
  Chat room for caregiver’s of loved ones with dementia
• Depression support
  Message board at iVillage (for women)

Other

• SeniorNet
  Help with the Internet and computers especially for seniors
• U.S. Government Medicare site
  Questions answered about Medicare benefits and procedures
• Illinois Medicaid site
  Questions answered about the Illinois Medicaid program
• Illinois Department on Aging
  Information on Illinois’ resources for the elderly
• U.S. Government’s Administration on Aging
  Information on aging

Definitions

Mailing list
Usually refers to an outbound only mailing list, such as those subscribed to receive an Internet newsletter or "tip of the day" sent via email. A number of the Web sites listed above offer mailing lists with caregiver support information. You need a valid email address to subscribe.

Chat room
Real time discussion with people of a common interest. Sometimes less serious, more casual discussion than found on the message boards and lists. Usually requires registering as a user.

Discussion List (sometimes called mailing list)
An automated system that allows people to send e-mail to one address, whereupon their message is copied and sent to all subscribers to the list. Allows for email based on discussion among a group of people with a common interest. Subscribe to our list via the Internet (often from a Web site). You must have a valid email address to subscribe.

Message Board
A Web-based discussion usually organized by topic and thread (sub-topic). Messages are "posted" on a specially designed Web site. Participation in discussion sometimes requires "registering."