[nextpage title=”Page 1″ ]
Education & Information
The New Old Age Blog
Unfortunately this wonderful New York Times blog, first launched in 2008, has been discontinued as of January 2015. Although no new articles will be posted, its archived pieces will remain online through this link. The site is a wonderful source of information and ideas related to aging and caregiving. You can use the search window function to find information on topics such as “falls,” “sleep,” “wandering,” and so on.
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/
The New York Times will continue to cover aging issues in its health section. The link is:
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/health/index.html
New Jersey Alzheimer’s Association
This site has many resources, including information about their 24/7 Helpline and $1,000 grants for respite care for dementia patients and their family caregivers.
http://www.alz.org/nj/
Caring Across Generations
An advocacy group promoting a comprehensive public policy approach to caring for seniors in the home.
http://www.caringacross.org/
NJ POLST (Practitioner Order for Life Sustaining Treatment)
The POLST form is designed to ensure that a patient’s treatment goals and wishes are honored in each interaction with the health care system, or as it is often called, the “continuum of care.” It serves as a medical order defining a patient’s health goals and choices regarding medical interventions. It combines elements of an advanced directive and Do Not Resuscitate orders. You can find the POLST form here:
http://www.njha.com/media/84188/NJPOLSTFORM.pdf
More information about the NJ POLST can be found at the site of the New Jersey Hospital Association
http://www.njha.com/quality-patient-safety/advanced-care-planning/polst/
Books
My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey— Jill Bolte Taylor
At age 37 Jill Bolte Taylor suffered a serious stroke. In this account of her slow recovery she brings a scientist’s curiosity and perspective to her personal experience and arrives at some very interesting and even inspiring conclusions about how the brain works and human resilience and adaptability.
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/Government/Departments/CS/Pages
/Aging%20and%20Disabled%20Services/Office_AgingDisabled.aspx
On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s— Greg O’Brien
O’Brien is an investigative journalist who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. This book is a rare account of what it actually feels like to operate with a brain affected by this disease. His insights can make us better caregivers.
Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease.— Joanne Koenig Coste
Most of us get thrown into the caregiving role without any preparation. This is especially hard for family caregivers of dementia patients who can find it very hard to interpret their loved one’s behavior or communicate effectively. This book offers both insight and truly practical suggestions for communicating and managing behavior.
The Age of Dignity—Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America – Ai-Jen Poo
Ai-jen Poo is a McArthur award winner and the director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. In this work of advocacy and public policy she articulates her vision of a society in which we better address the needs of care recipients and care givers alike
[/nextpage]
