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For most people, managing work and family responsibilities is tough. For the over 22 million working adults who are also providing or supporting caregiving for an elderly or disabled loved one, the road is even tougher. Not only do working caregivers sacrifice leisure time but they also suffer stress-related illnesses, as they attempt to manage work and family caregiving responsibilities. Navigating the ins and outs of a particular state’s caregiving resources and a particular loved one’s medical/life issues is often a full time job in itself, forcing some to quit work entirely to care for a loved one. That is why the Family Caregiver Alliance’s newest resource, Family Care Navigator, is so important and helpful. Luckily, it is also free to use.

The Navigator is a comprehensive, unique online guide intended to help families in all 50 states locate government, nonprofit, and private caregiver support programs. The Navigator not only lists programs for family caregivers, but it also lists resources for older and disabled adults living at home or in a residential facility. The site further provides information on government health and disability programs, legal resources, living arrangements, disease-specific organizations, and more.

I was also happy to note that it is simple to use: Click on the map on the state you are interested in and the relevant state resources will appear on the page under defined categories.

While this resource cannot give you time off from work to attend to your caregiving responsibilities, it may well save you time and stress when information gathering and developing a plan of action for your disabled or elderly dependent.

• Child Care , Dependent Care , Elder Care