AARP Caregiver - 211 Big Bend

AARP Caregiver Information

When someone you love needs more care, finding helpful caregiving resources in your area can be hard. That’s why AARP and United Way have teamed up to connect you with trained, compassionate people in your community who can help you find AARP caregiving resources and more. It’s called 211, it’s a free service, and you can talk to specialists who can help you find local resources for caring for your loved one…and for yourself too!

Whether you’re temporarily assisting a friend or family member or are a full-time family caregiver, AARP can help! Get useful information and community resources to support the many things you do to care for others, like driving to medical appointments, managing medications, or helping with finances or meals. You can find AARP family caregiving resources through 211 that will help you navigate more specialized issues like home safety or veterans’ benefits, and more. When you contact 211 and ask for AARP resources, you can get help for yourself too, including finding support groups and counseling, and employment and placement assistance.

Get Connected. Get Help. Call 211* for AARP’s family caregiving resources or visit www.aarp.org/FLcaregiver.

*Any information you provide to 211 will be governed by its privacy policy.

Recent Resources

5 Steps for First-Time Caregivers

Caregiving can happen suddenly with an accident or disease diagnosis, or start gradually with driving your loved one to get groceries or see a doctor. Later, you may find yourself preparing meals, handling their finances or taking time off work to address their growing needs. Remember to take things one step at a time. Whether you’re just beginning to anticipate a need or taking care of a family member full time, we are able to provide connection to tips, resources and checklists can help you get organized and find support on your caregiving journey. Are you a first time caregiver? Call 211 today to learn more about available local and national resources.

Caregiver Glossary: Definitions for the Most Confusing Acronyms and Terms

For most new caregivers, CCRCs, HHAs and PERS spell confusion. But even without the confounding acronyms, helping a loved one of any age can mean you’re exposed to new verbiage and daunting doctor-speak. If you hear any phrase from a doctor, nurse or social worker that you don’t understand, speak up — right when you hear it. Take notes or ask the doctor if you can record the conversation to refer back to later. Here are more than 75 terms that caregivers are likely to encounter. Contact 211 today for more tips, resources, and checklists to help you navigate caregiving for your loved one.

Resources for LGBTQ Caregiving

AARP’s Dignity 2022 survey of LGBTQ people 45 and older found that 82 percent are concerned about having adequate family or social support as they age. LGBTQ adults are four times less likely to have children than heterosexual adults, which means they are less likely to have the traditional resources of family and caregiver support on which many older adults rely. Call 211 today to explore what resources might be available for you now as well as steps you can take to plan later in life.