Resources for Care Partners
At MnCAN, we prefer the term care partner rather than the more traditionally used term “caregiver” because we believe it is a partnership with friends and family that actually occurs in the road to living well with aphasia…
Aphasia Access
Communication is key to person-centered health care and meaningful life. Aphasia Access empowers healthcare professionals, interdisciplinary teams, speech-language pathologists, and community advocates.
Visit their webpage for more information: www.aphasiaaccess.org
Caring.com
Caring.com is a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. Care partner support guide: www.caring.com/caregivers/burnout/
Caregiver Action Network
This is a wonderful website with many resources for care partners.
Health In Aging
Health In Aging is a trusted source for up-to-date information and advice on health and aging, created by the American Geriatrics Society’s Health in Aging Foundation.
https://www.healthinaging.org/about-us
Caregiver Self Assessment Questionnaire:
https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/caregiver-self-assessment-questionnaire
Rescue: Resources & Education for Stroke Caregiver’s Understanding & Empowerment
This site has great tools and tips for care partners to aid in the care of yourself and your loved one after a stroke.
Senior Community Services
This site is a great resource for senior support services including low or no cost services such as care partner support, home maintenance, medicare and health insurance counseling, website to support family communication for scheduling care and accessing valuable resources. Check it out for more details at:
Seniors Helpers
Senior Helpers is owned by a Speech Pathologist. Senior Helpers provides non-medical home care to adults who would benefit from 1:1 support for companion care services (companionship, outings, laundry, light housekeeping, transportation, errands, meal prep) and/or personal care services (bathing, grooming, toileting) individualized to needs. Services can be provided for as little as 4 hours once a week, up to 24/7, to foster improved quality of life and increased independence.
Contact: 952-395-3443
Website:www.seniorhelpers.com/mn/lake-minnetonka/
Stroke Survivor
“A stroke survivor dedicated to helping people with disabilities live full lives!” Lots of tips, with a sense of humor; articles, books, and helpful products.
Voice of Hope for Aphasia
“Aphasia Simulations. Experience what it might be like to have aphasia! The Aphasia Simulations developed by former Voices of Hope for Aphasia Executive Director, Dr. Jackie Hinckley, and Keen Research, are intended to provide a different perspective on the issues encountered by a person with a language disorder. With this perspective comes, perhaps, greater understanding and empathy.”
Visit their webpage for more information: https://www.vohaphasia.org/simulation/
Additional Resources
National Organizations
Family Caregiver Alliance – 800.445.8106 https://www.caregiver.org/
National Alliance for Caregiving – 301.718.8444 https://www.caregiving.org/
Caregiver Action Network (National Family Caregiver’s Association) – 202.454.3970 http://caregiveraction.org/
Well Spouse Association – 732.577.8899 https://wellspouse.org/
Local Organizations
Eldercare Partners – 651.234.2262 https://www.caregiver.org/eldercare-partners
Wilder Caregiver Support Services – 651.280.2273 (East Metro) https://www.wilder.org/what-we-offer/healthy-aging-caregiving-services/caregiver-services
DARTS – 651.455.1560 (Dakota County) https://dartsconnects.org/caregiving/
Family Means – 651.439.4840 (Washington County) https://www.familymeans.org/help-for-caregivers.html
Family Caregiver Connection – 763.422.6960 (Anoka County) https://www.anokacounty.us/655/Family-Caregiver-Connection
Senior Community Services – 952.541.1019 https://seniorcommunity.org/caregiversupportgroups/
Metropolitan Caregiver Services Collaborative
http://ltcombudsman.org/uploads/files/support/MN-Caregiver-Service-Collaborative-List-final.pdf
MN Board on Aging – 651.431.2500 http://www.mnaging.org/Advisor/Caregiver.aspx
Living at Home Network – 651.649.0315 https://lahnetwork.org/
Book Recommendations:
Please check Amazon.com or your local bookstore .
- Stronger After Stroke by Peter Levine
- Stroke Diary: The Secret of Aphasia Recovery by Thomas Broussard, Jr, Ph.D.
- Hope After Stroke for Caregivers and Survivor by Tsgoyna Tanzman, MA, CCC-SLP
- The ABC’s of Aphasia: A Stroke Primer by Thomas Broussard, Jr, Ph.D.
- Identity Theft: Rediscovering Uurselves After Stroke by Debra E. Meyerson, PhD
- Aphasia Handbook: a guide for stroke and brain injury survivors and their families by Joan Peters, and Martha Taylor Sarno
Podcast Recommendations:
- Noggins & Neurons Podcast
- Strokecast: The Stroke Podcast for Survivors, Clinicians, Care Partners, and all our Brain Injury Colleagues
How to Talk to Children with Aphasia
Baylor University has a great article with suggestions on talking to and involving children with parent s or grandparents who have aphasia.
https://onlinegrad.baylor.edu/resources/aphasia-communication-disorders-guide/
Children’s books explaining aphasia:
https://www.amazon.com/Know-She-Still-Loves-Explaining/dp/B099BV5XPB
https://www.amazon.com/Grandmas-Stories-Understanding-Tess-Zaorski-ebook/dp/B0947KBKFD