EXPLORING RESOURCES

Once you have gathered accurate information about your relative's health history and present status, you will need to explore the resources, programs and services in the community that can meet your relative's needs.  There truly is no end to the number of services that may be required.  A partial list may include:



· Care management services

· Health and dental care emergency response

· Financial assistance

· Housing

· Homehealth

· Rehabilitation

· Transportation

· Socialization

· Recreation

· Nutrition

· Home visiting

· Telephone reassurance

· Counseling

· Spirituality

· Housekeeping

· Home maintenance



To save time and energy, you may want to arrange appointments before your trip to your loved one's home state, and try to involve the care recipient by encouraging him or her to accompany you.  It's always  important to call more than one provider of a particular program or service, so that you can compare the services offered and the costs.   In many areas, competition among service providers is great and rates may vary widely.