Finding Help
Minnesota families provide 95% of the assistance needed
by older persons living in the community. Caregiving is a
very difficult job and it should not be done alone. Even the smallest
amount of help can make a big difference.
Informal community support, formal services,
and medications are
available to help you and your family. Services for employed caregivers differ from long-distance
caregivers. There are also culturally specific
services. Services are flexible and can be tailored to meet your needs.
Try the
following sites.
What does help cost? There are many organizations that provide
support or services at low or
no cost. And there are many services covered by other
payers such as third party payers*, Medicare,
Medical
Assistance, Elderly
Waiver, or the Alternative Care
Program.
How do I know what help I need? Complete this Caregiver Planning
Interview to help you identify and plan what services
you want and need. Or call the Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433,
or visit: www.MinnesotaHelp.infoTM
When trying to find help ask:
- What does the person I am caring for want and
need?
- What do I want for the person I am caring for?
Find help that supports the care you are providing.
Help needs to be useful and convenient. Refer to these
books, websites
and Caregiver
Journal for more information.
Who can I talk to directly about finding help? Call the Senior LinkAge Line® at
1-800-333-2433, or a Long-term
care consultant at your county to talk to you
about your available options. For Alzheimer’s and dementia
related conditions contact the
Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota – North Dakota of the Alzheimer’s Association.
* Third Party Payer:
Any individual, entity, or program that is or may be liable to pay
all or part of the health care costs incurred by recipients/enrollees.
This includes Medicare, private insurance, health maintenance
organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO), Champus,
Workers’ Compensation, and uncontested no-fault automobile insurance.
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