76 Information and assistance are the number-one need of family caregivers. More often than not, the average family is unaware of services available in the community and the means of gaining access to them. Information is needed on how and where to get help, implications of a diagnosis, costs of care, and how to plan for future care needs. Increasingly, families are using the Internet to access information on caregiving and available services. Helping the family respond to crises and adjust to new daily routines is essential to help families cope over the long-term.
Support groups emphasize coping strategies and peer support to help caregivers.
79 Counseling assists families in solving problems and in resolution of psychosocial issues related to caring for the impaired person. A unique feature of respite care is the help it offers to both the caregiver and the care recipient. Researchers have suggested that respite care can relieve the burden of the caregiving situation and allow families to continue to care for loved ones who would otherwise have been placed in a nursing home. Very limited resources are available for home repairs. Legal and financial planning are key services to help families plan for the costs of future long-term care and to make arrangements for medical decisions and advance directives.