SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER RESOURCE GUIDE California SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER RESOURCE GUIDE Caregiving may be one of the most important roles you will ever take on in your life. You may have become a caregiver suddenly or perhaps your role has evolved over time. No matter where you are in the continuum of caregiving—starting to plan, helping to coordinate a big move, or taking care of a family member in your home—having resources at your fingertips will make the process easier. With many organizations offering different types of help and services, it can be a challenge to sort out the specific type of help or services best suited for your needs. AARP developed this resource guide with you— the caregiver— in mind as a starting point to help you find the services and supports you need throughout your caregiving journey. We hope this resource guide can assist you in the following ways: > Help you get the type of assistance you need. This directory lists many government and nonprofit resources, which you can access both in-person and online. > Help you connect with others. You’ll discov- er, if you have not already, that you’re a part of a community of caregivers and caregiver supporters. You are truly not alone. > Help take care of yourself. This is vitally important but something that many caregiv- ers often overlook. The act of caregiving can take a physical and mental toll on the care- giver. So, it’s important that you make self- care a top priority. 2 AARP SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER GUIDE Tips to Find Services and Supports Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you begin to look for resources and support. Ask for help. Keep track of your conversations. Friends and family will often ask you if there Keep a notebook of who you talked to. Write is anything that they can do to help. Use your down names, phone numbers, and notes from network and ask others to help you look for each call. You never know when you will need resources and information in your area. the information down the road. If possible, use the Internet. No one person or organization The Internet is an easy and quick way to get has all the answers. information. Because information can vary, it The person you get on the phone or the is important not to rely on one site alone. Also, website you visit may have expertise in certain make sure the sponsoring organization is a areas, but not in others. It is always smart reputable and reliable source of information. to be prepared with other resources and organizations that can help. Talk to a real person. Many phone numbers will lead to voicemail. Use your creativity. It’s important to leave a message, but don’t wait Create your own personal resource network. for someone to call you back. Keep in mind This could include contacting community- that some services have backlogs of calls to based agencies to find out what kinds of return. Keep calling back until you connect with support services are available in your area. someone who can help you. Usually a second Consider asking friends or other caregivers request receives prompt attention. what resources they found to be useful. Write down your Many services are local. questions in advance. Services can vary widely from state to state Before you call, write down specific questions and region to region. Make sure you look for and try to be as concrete and detailed as resources that provide services where you live. possible. “ Why do I do it? … I do it because it is the right thing to do. I do it because I want to set an example of forgiveness for my children. I do it because I wouldn’t want to be left scared and all alone.” —Marci from California 3 AARP SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER GUIDE 1650 Mission Street, 5th Floor family caregivers of adults 60 San Francisco, CA 94103 years old or above, regardless of 415-355-3555 caregiver income. www.agingcare.com 785 Market St., Suite 750 San Francisco, CA 94103 Aging and Disability 1-800-445-8106 Resource Centers (ADRC) www.caregiver.org ADRCs empower consumers to consider all options, make Meals on Wheels informed decisions, and access of San Francisco community Long-Term Supportive Assists low-income older adults Services that help them meet their and people with disabilities in San personal goals for independence. Francisco to stay in their homes San Francisco uses an outstation and communities. model to bring ADRC services and information to many 1375 Fairfax Avenue neighborhoods and cultures. San Francisco, CA 94124 415-920-1111 Institute on Aging www.mowsf.org 3575 Geary Boulevard San Francisco, 94121 415-750-4111 Adult Protective Services www.ioaging.org/collaborations- Human Services Agency elder-protection/aging-and- of San Francisco disability-resource-centers-adrc Provides education about and investigates allegations of elder abuse and neglect. Forms of Alzheimer’s Association THE CITY AND abuse include physical, sexual Enhances care and support for all COUNTY OF abuse, financial exploitation and those affected by Alzheimer’s and emotional and verbal abuse. SAN FRANCISCO other dementias. Support groups, RESOURCES resources, information and more. 415-355-6700 (24 hours) 1-800-814-0009 (24 hours — must Following are local resources that 24 hour hotline: 1-800-272-3900 call from within San Francisco) can help to make caregiving easier. www.alz.org/norcal www.sfhsa.org/138.htm Some provide helpful information and others offer direct services such as help in the home, adult day Family Caregiver Alliance Covered California care, social services and support For residents of the six county The health insurance marketplace groups. San Francisco Bay Area [Alameda, helps guide Californians as they Contra Costa, Marin, San shop and compare health plans Francisco, San Mateo and Santa available in California. San Francisco Department of Clara], FCA serves as a point of Aging and Adult Services entry to specialized caregiver 1-800-300-1506 Designs and manages resources services. Works with families www.coveredca.com for older adults and persons with caring for someone with adult- disabilities and caregivers. This onset brain impairment such county agency can provide an as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, overview of aging and caregiver Parkinson’s, dementia and brain services in the county. tumor, regardless of the care recipient’s age. They also assist 4 AARP SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER GUIDE California Alternative Ombudsmen provide information Waiver program, older adults Rates for Energy (C.A.R.E.) about how to find a facility and who are eligible for nursing home Utilities Assistance what to do to get quality care. payments can receive medical and They are trained to resolve support services that enable them Provides financial assistance problems and can assist you with to continue living at home. Waiver for residents who are unable to complaints. services prevent or delay nursing pay utility bills. Weatherization home admission. resources also may be available. 415-751-9788 | 24 Hour CRISISline: San Francisco To request an application form 1-800-231-4024 Human Services Agency and more information, please www.sanfranciscoltcombudsman. SF Benefits Net contact your utility company or org/home.html 1440 Harrison Street check out their websites for more San Francisco, CA 94120 information. HICAP (Health Insurance 415-557-5000 Counseling and Advocacy www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/ 1-855-355-5757 Toll Free Program) of San Francisco Low+ Income/care.htm www.sfhsa.org Provides one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Legal Advice: California Medicare and their families. The Supplemental Nutrition Advocates for Nursing agency can help with obtaining Assistance Program (SNAP) Home Reform (CANHR) benefits, filing claims and SNAP, formerly known as Food CANHR provides advice, understanding health care options. Stamps, provides monthly counseling, technical assistance, 601 Jackson Street, 2nd Floor nutritional assistance to people publications, and training in San Francisco, CA 94133 who have low income and limited the areas of public benefits, 415-677-7520 assets to pay for food. SNAP also and long term care, including provides nutritional education. nursing homes, residential care, www.hicap.org continuing care retirement San Francisco Human Services Agency | SF Benefits Net communities, Medi–Cal, Medicare, Local Medi-Cal Office elder abuse, fiduciary abuse, and 1440 Harrison Street other legal issues affecting low– Medicaid (Medi-Cal) is a joint San Francisco, CA 94120 income, disabled, and elderly federal and state health care 415-557-5000 California consumers. CANHR has program for people with low 855-355-5757 Toll Free income and limited resources established a statewide hotline for www.sfhsa.org legal services staff and consumers: insufficient to pay for health 1-800-474–1116 and websites with care. Through the Medicaid information on every nursing home and residential care/assisted living facility in California. 650 Harrison Street, 2nd Floor San Francisco, CA 94107 415-974-5171 http://www.canhr.org San Francisco Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Long-term care ombudsmen are advocates for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes and assisted living facilities. 5 AARP SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA CAREGIVER GUIDE NATIONAL RESOURCES ARCH Respite Network Medicare The national resources below The ARCH National Respite Provides information about the provide valuable information and Network includes the National Medicare program and how to can connect you to programs and Respite Locator, a service to help find Medicare plans and providers. services in your state and local caregivers and professionals Caregivers will also find a tool community. locate respite services in their on the website to compare home community.