Caregiver Training and Planning

As a caregiver, you are an important family member, parent, child or friend to your loved one. You might also need the skills to be a medical professional, cook, housekeeper, physical therapist and more. The following trainings can help you learn the skills you need as a caregiver:

• Caregivers of adults with physical or cognitive impairments.
• Caregivers of older adults.
• Older adults and their caregivers.
• Caregivers of veterans.
• Caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
• Caregivers of people with dementia.
• Caregivers and parents of children with disabilities under 5 years old.
• Older adults and residents of long-term care facilities. These are designed for long-term care providers and staff but are open to the public.
• Caregivers seeking information about trauma-informed care. Trauma-informed care is a practice that promotes understanding, recognizing and responding to the effects of trauma.
• Training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers. Crisis intervention specialists through local intellectual and developmental disability authorities (LIDDAs) train groups and providers to work with persons with IDD who are at risk of needing crisis services. Use this search tool to help you find the LIDDA serving your area.

Some caregivers are called to be the voice of their loved one during a medical crisis. Caregivers also want to make sure their loved one will be taken care of in the future. Legal documents and advance care planning can help you make decisions now to plan for the future.

• Advance care planning for older adults and their caregivers.
• Alternatives to guardianship for people of any age with IDD and their caregivers.
• Legal assistance for older adults and their caregivers.
• Legal documents for people of any age with disabilities and their caregivers.
• Legal assistance for people with disabilities and their caregivers.

Providing care for a loved one can affect the ability of a caregiver to work outside the home. Learn what benefits are available and explore financial tools with the following resources:

• Financial information for caregivers and parents of children with disabilities.
• Tools for all caregivers who manage their loved one's money.
• Financial and comprehensive assistance for veterans and their caregivers.

Emergencies can happen at any time and planning ahead is important — especially for caregivers.

• Preparedness resources for older adults and their caregivers.
• The Department of Homeland Security’s Ready campaign with emergency planning resources for everyone.
• Disaster planning toolkit for people living with dementia and their caregivers (PDF).
• Emergency planning resources for caregivers and parents of children with disabilities.