Originally posted in PGH AVE WEST, Sept-Oct 2016
Caring for a loved one is one of the most important responsibilities and privileges a person could have. Especially when a loved one has become aged or dependent on assistance. In an effort to help families care for their loved ones at home, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging are providing caregiver backpacks. They are specifically designed to provide the caregiver with a variety of resources relevant to the nonprofessional, family caregiver. They are specifically designed to provide the caregiver with a variety of resources relevant to the nonprofessional, family caregiver.
The Avalon Public Library (317 S. Home Ave. Avalon, PA 15202), is now circulating these caregiver backpacks for caregivers of the elderly. The backpacks contain several resources including:
- American Red Cross: Family Care giving – book with DVD
- Rhodes, L. The Essential guide to caring for aging parents
- Gambone, J. and Travland, – Who says men don’t care? A man’s guide to balanced and guilt- free caregiving.
- Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement Financial Steps for caregivers: What you need to know about protecting your money and
Added to this list is several more books, pamphlets, and the DVD, Still Alice.
The backpacks can be sent to any member library of the Allegheny County Library Association and circulate for three weeks. Call the Avalon Public Library at 412-761-2288 or contact your local library for further information about these backpacks.
The Caregiver Backpack Project was piloted at Avalon Public Library, Cooper-Siegel Community Library, Crafton Public Library, Northland Public Library and Western Allegheny Community Library, and will be expanding to other Allegheny County libraries in 2017.
