Caregiver resource kit

This section of the Ask Medicare toolkit offers informational resources that can be printed directly from this Web site and provided to caregivers. The resources are designed to help caregivers address challenging issues and work effectively with Medicare to ensure their family members and friends receive the best possible care.

Practical information for caregivers

These materials highlight the basics of caregiving and understanding Medicare.

• Ask Medicare brochure: Care for others [PDF, 246KB]
  A brief overview of Ask Medicare.
• Ask Medicare: What should every caregiver know? [PDF, 155KB]
  Short facts on caregiving and some of the many resources offered by Ask Medicare.
• Ask Medicare: What type of care is best for your loved one? [PDF, 158KB]
  A list of terms describing the various types of care for disabled, aged and seriously ill individuals.
• Ask Medicare: Billing terms caregivers should know [PDF, 159KB]
  Descriptions of common billing and financial terms related to the Medicare program.
• Ask Medicare: Questions and answers about Medicare for caregivers [PDF, 151KB]
  Information about the Medicare program and other issues that are especially important to caregivers.
• Personal caregiver stories
  Read stories about caregivers and their approaches for addressing challenging issues.

Tips sheets and videos

These materials will help caregivers manage challenging issues, such as paying for care, managing a transition from a hospital to home care setting, managing the stress that can come from caregiving and more.

• Ask Medicare: Moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility [PDF, 178KB]
  Facts and insights about long-term care options.
• Ask Medicare: Planning a transition from hospital to home [PDF, 165KB]
  A checklist to help caregivers prepare home environments for individuals who are being discharged from hospitals or other types of inpatient facilities.
• Ask Medicare: What Medicare covers [PDF, 180KB]
  Basic and essential information about how Medicare works.
• Ask Medicare: Is additional financial support available? [PDF, 170KB]
  Information for caregivers of family members and friends who are struggling to pay for health care and related costs.
• Ask Medicare: What caregiver support is available in my area? [PDF, 206KB]
  Information about local resources and financial benefits that are available to Caregivers.
•   Ask Medicare: Tips & resources for caregivers to take care of themselves [PDF, 166KB]
  Tips to help caregivers address their own physical and emotional needs.
• Ask Medicare: How can you plan for the future? [PDF, 168KB]
  Tips on preparing for long-term health, financial and legal issues.
• Ask Medicare: Tips & resources for caregivers of someone with a disability [PDF, 165KB]
  Tips on caring for a loved one with a chronic illness.
• Tips for making a hospital to home transition (video)
  Caregivers and experts offer advice on how to prepare a home for individuals who have been hospitalized for serious medical issues.
• Planning for a discharge (video)
  Important information for caregivers of individuals who are about to be discharged from a hospital or long-term care facility.