Organizations and Professionals
To learn more about the following organizations, click on their names to connect with their websites.
Brooke Lindquist ([email protected])
Thoughts for Alzheimer’s Caregivers contributing author and editor. Brooke is experienced as a caregiver and is a spiritual guide and counselor who can provide spiritual support and guidance about overcoming the challenges family caregivers face.
Alzheimer’s Association Helpline (1-800-272-3900)
Available 24/7 for information, local resources, crisis assistance, and emotional support.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Information, support, and resources related to family caregivers for each state.
Elder Helpers
A volunteer helper organization that requires a donation of $50 per month. You can read about the volunteers to find one that may be compatible with your family member.
Seniors Blue Book
A resource for finding home care, caregiver services, and legal support/guidance by county.
Colorado Gerontological Society
Provides advocacy, support and counseling services to older adults, including medical and financial powers of attorney, CPR directives, living wills, medical care proxies, medical aid in dying, and behavioral health order forms.
AgeWise Colorado
Provides a services directory for caregiver needs, hospice and palliative care, driving assessments, transportation agencies, assistive devices and technology support.
Compassion and Choices
Information, education, and forms regarding end-of-life planning.
DementiaTogether
Offers education and support for family care partners and loved ones living with dementia, using the analogy of the SPECAL® photograph album. Under the Living With Dementia heading, their website also provides an extensive list of other valuable resources.
GroovyTek
Helps Alzheimer’s caregivers and others solve problems with personal technology (smartphones, tablets, and computers). GroovyTek’s knowledgable staff was also instrumental in helping Thoughts For Alzheimer’s Caregivers develop our site and provide the information in this site to you. Caregivers who are having technology issues could find their services valuable.
Support Groups
Alzheimer’s thrusts caregivers into a new world of isolation, stress and fatigue, which over time can be devastating. For most caregivers, participating in a support group provides new information, solutions, companionship, and meaningful relief. As familiarity and relationships grow, the groups become more comfortable and productive.
Boulder County Government
Offers periodic programs and maintains a partial list of active support groups in the county.
Senior Living Communities like Balfour Senior Living
That include memory care facilities often provide support group activities. This is primarily for residents of their communities but may also include other community members.
Other Support Groups can be located through the organizations listed above.
Books
Creating Moments of Joy by Jolene Brackey
A practical guide (my playbook) that provides a basic understanding of Alzheimer’s and strategies to become an effective caregiver.
Being Mortal by Atul Gwande
Insightful summary of late life health care and planning. This book is particularly helpful in revealing the limitations of traditional medical practices.
Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams
A motivational review of the week-long dialog between two Nobel Peace Prize laureates about overcoming life’s most difficult challenges.
The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith
While most people pursue happiness, fulfillment comes from finding meaning in life and living with love in our hearts.
The 36-Hour Day by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins
An authoritative reference book written by professionals that answers questions about the issues confronting caregivers.
Like Falling Through a Cloud by Eugenia Zukerman
A heart-wrenching book of poetry and emotional discovery as Eugenia copes with forgetfulness and confusion following her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.