National Family Caregivers Association

Tuesday Feb 9, 2010

Connecting Caregivers

As a family caregiver, you belong to a very large community, about 50 million strong. Connecting with other caregivers can foster hope and provide guidance as well as emotional and spiritual support as you face issues surrounding everyday caregiving.

As a means to educate, provide support, and connect family caregivers to a community and each other, NFCA created the state network of NFCA volunteers known as the Caregiver Community Action Network, (CCAN). CCANers have all had their own family caregiving experience and now assist others to find information and the support in an effort to improve their family caregiving experience and to aid in the development of important bonds with other family caregivers.

The following links can be used as a starting point to share your journey as a means to reach out and connect to other family caregivers.

The Caregiver Story Project: The NFCA "Caregiver Story Project" is an opportunity for family caregivers to share their caregiving journeys and to learn from and help one another. We are especially interested in caregiver experiences related to the financial strain of caregiving and any difficulties you have had with the healthcare system, including frustrations coordinating your loved one’s care with all of the many healthcare professionals with whom you are involved.

E-Communities: Connecting family caregivers directly to other family caregivers in their own cities and states to share information and resources.

Family Caregiver Forum: Sometimes the best information and advice comes from other family caregivers. The Family Caregiver Forum, brought to you by Intel Health, is a place to bring your questions, find support, and take part in general discussions on topics relevant to family caregiving.