Resources for Youth
Resources to Help You Advocate
Addiction Awareness Resources
Congregational Care Team Resources
General Congregational Health Ministry Resources
Health and Wellness Resources
Health, Healing and Wholeness Resources
Resources for Depression
HIV/AIDS Resources
Parish Nursing Resources
Serious Mental Illness Resources
Resources for Older Adult Ministries
Useful Family Care Giving Links and Information
Additional Resources

New Resources for Youth

Helping Children Cope With Disaster
Resource explains how to help children cope with traumatic disasters that may strike quickly and without warning. [Read more]

What is autism? It depends who you ask
Recent reports that autism is now being diagnosed as frequently as 1 in every 150 children have raised public awareness. Autism is a topic that has created great and passionate debate among people who are autistic, parents of autistic children, scientists, physicians and others. Rather than enter into the various debatable issues, this article will attempt to provide basic background information in an evenhanded way and allow you, the reader, to become more familiar with an increasingly important issue. [Read more]

The health and well-being of children
The health issues facing today’s children cannot be painted with a single brushstroke. Economic security, physical safety of neighborhoods, access to health care, parental presence and a host of factors influence the health status of young people in the United States. However, the unfortunate reality for most children today is that they are not quite as safe, not quite as protected and not quite as often encircled by concern and care as generations before them.  [Learn more.]

Advocacy
Variety of resources which provide information on how to advocate as an individual, as guided by our conscience, the tenets of our Christian faith, and by the policies of the PC(USA); and as groups, which provide the support of other group members, access to specific health care reform agendas, and fact and figures surrounding health care. [Read more]

How to Advocate
Variety of advocacy resources which covers topics such as the uninsured, children's health care coverage, proposed Medicare changes, universal health care coverage, culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services, and children's health insurance program. [Read more]

Care Without Coverage: Too Little, Too Late
A detailed report, the second in a series issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on the Consequences of Uninsurance, summarizes the research evidence contrasting the health of insured and uninsured adults. [Read more]

Adoption of National Standard for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Health Care Services
Fourteen standards issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health responding to the need to ensure that all people entering the health care system receive equitable and effective treatment in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. [Read more]

What Can Presbyterians Do? Adequate Health Care for Everyone
The challenge to Presbyterians from the 214 th General Assembly. Resource explains the process of how we, as Presbyterians, are called to promote justice and equity, to engage in healing and to treat one another with compassion. [Read more]

Addiction Awareness Resources

Alcohol and Other Addictions
Resource detailing Addiction Awareness Facts, General Assembly Policies (1986, 1992, 1993), Suggestions for Observing Addiction Awareness Week, and information on the Presbyterian Network on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse. [Read more]

Congregational Care Team Resources

Congregational Caregiving Using Special Pet Partners (C-CUSP)
Detailed resource which introduces a new National Health Ministry-Congregational Caregiving Using Special Pet Partners (C-CUSP). Offers explanation of how pet partners can become effective members of congregational care teams, supplies background on pet-assisted therapy program, furnishes information on liability, plus much more. [Read more]

Congregational Support Resources
Resource designed to help look at beginning a congregational health ministry program - what programs can look like and how to get started. Links provided to many helpful sites. [Read more]

Congregational Health Ministry Action Plan
This Congregational Health Ministry Action Plan provides suggested steps to help raise awareness and build a commitment to health and wholeness. With this resource, congregations can initiate a course toward becoming a community of care and healing, or enhance the congregation's health ministry. This plan is offered as a guide to be used with other Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) materials on health and wholeness. Each church will want to make adjustments based on its own needs. [Read more]

Congregational Care Team Ministry
In 2000, the 212 th General Assembly took action "to reclaim the ministry of health to those affected by life-challenging disease" in congregations. The Assembly directed the General Assembly Council to "educate, train and empower" interested church members in the "care team" model of caring ministry. This resource contains suggested steps to help raise awareness and build a commitment to health and wholeness, with links to many sites. [Read more]

The Care Team Exploration Guide
Resource is an introduction for congregations to Encircling Care - Congregational Care Team Ministry. It helps discern whether or not a congregation needs to develop a Congregational Care Team ministry, and more importantly, whether it is likely to support this mission ministry. It also provides an overview of how a Congregational Care Team might work in your congregation. The guide should provide adequate information for preliminary discussion with the Pastor, Session, or other group who might want to be a partner in this effort. [Read more]

Special Commissioning Service for Care Teams
Example of a commissioning service and the liturgy used for commissioning to a caring ministry within a congregation. [Read more]

Mission Project: Caring Kits
Each day, family caregiving affects greater numbers of individuals and families. This care might include a 24-hour supervision, specialized communication techniques, etc. Often, caregivers do not have many opportunities to "pamper" themselves, as they are finding practical ways to cope and to maintain. Caregiving kits contain items a caregiver might want/need and appreciate. This resource provides many suggestions to let the caregiver know that he or she is cared about. [Read more]

Don't Sit On The Bed - A brief guide for those who visit patients in the hospital /careteams/visitation.htm
Visiting people who are hospitalized is a very tangible way of sharing Christ's compassion. Yet, sometimes we hesitate because we are not totally comfortable in a hospital situation or around someone who is ill. This resource was prepared for congregational care teams and other laypersons who participate in hospital visitations. It answers questions and provides recommended language to use. Also included in an explanation of the new and comprehensive privacy regulations (HIPPA) which have required change in hospital visitation policies. [Read more]

Being Present With Those Who Grieve
Since Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's book, On Death and Dying , was first published in 1969, there have been significant changes in the recommended approaches to be helpful and compassionate toward friends and family who grieve. This Resource explores new models, and is focused on more specifics of what actually helps and what common impulses can even be hurtful. [Read more]

How Care Teams Can Ease the Transition to Long Term Care
Resource describing the variety of ways in which Care Teams can be a value to older adults as they transition from living independently to long term care setting. While some older adults look to the future and plan to move to a retirement facility, others find themselves there due to an illness or declining health status. In either case, a care team can help ease the transition. [Read more]

Tips for Care Teams Assisting Those in Long Term Care
Resource containing suggestions on questions that should or should not be asked, policies for visitation at facilities, and other tips. Written by Diane Brasie, church visitation director of Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Servic es for the 2004 Encircling Care Conference, National Health Ministries PC(USA). [Read more]

Caregivers Discussion Group
Description of various resources for staying in touch with others involved in health ministries. Online discussion groups are available through PresbyNet, the online community sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). A limited version of PresbyNet, PresbyNet Lite, is available for free. To join one of these groups, please click on the join link or follow the instructions given. The Caregivers group posts both personal stories and national surveys that confirm feelings of isolation and loneliness among people who are family caregivers. [Read more]

Congregational Liaison Application
An on-line application for becoming a Health Ministries Congregational Liaison. [Read more]

Encircling Care: A New Vision for Congregational Caregiving
An issue of Church & Society magazine that imparts only a portion of the thought and experience that under-girds the caregiving movement, and shares a few examples and models that have emerged. The introduction found on-line was written by Patricia Gleich, who was appointed to the position of associate, Office of National Health Ministries, in the Fall of 2001. [Read more]

General Congregational Health Ministry Resources

Top Ten Reasons to Develop a Congregational Ministry of Health
Today, many congregations have responded to the call to be a place of health and wholeness and have developed health ministries programs unique to their own congregation and community. Churches can become a community of caring that seeks to sustain each person in body, mind and spirit, teaching that faith and health are interwoven, and cannot be separated. Included are other links for Congregational Care Teams. [Read more]

Congregational Support Resources
Resource designed to help look at beginning a congregational health ministry program - what programs can look like and how to get started. [Read more]

Congregational Health Ministry Action Plan
This Congregational Health Ministry Action Plan provides suggested steps to help raise awareness and build a commitment to health and wholeness. With this resource, congregations can initiate a course toward becoming a community of care and healing, or enhance the congregation's health ministry. This plan is offered as a guide to be used with other PC(U.S.A.) materials on health and wholeness. Each church will want to make adjustments based on its own needs. [Read more]

Developing a Health Ministry for Your Congregation
A health ministries program is one that helps the congregation address all aspects of our spiritual, physical and emotional well-being. These programs can take many different forms. This resource will help you think about what your congregations health ministry program will look like and how to get started. [Read more] This resource is a free download in Adobe Acrobat format.

Congregational Care Team Ministry
A Presbyterian Care Team (PCT) provides a way for your congregation to respond to the real-life needs of individuals and families. This team is a group of volunteers working together to offer practical, emotional, and spiritual support to those in need. [Read more]

Parish Nursing
A parish nurse is a registered nurse with additional training who serves members of the congregation and often people in the community as well. The parish nurse program affirms the church as a place for prevention of illness or "disease," as it teaches and supports us in living with "ease" physically, spiritually, emotionally and socially. Information in this section includes how to find a parish nurse, resources, training, protocol and frequently asked questions. [Read more]

Presbyterian Health Ministries Discussion Group
Description of various resources for staying in touch with others involved in health ministries. Online discussion groups are available through PresbyNet, the online community sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). A limited version of PresbyNet, PresbyNet Lite, is available for free. To join one of these groups, please click on the join link or follow the instructions given. [Read more]

Congregational Liaisons
National Health Ministries is interested in identifying individuals who are willing to serve as "Congregational Liaisons" to our office. Health Ministries Congregational Liaisons (along with pastors) will be official points of contact for health information in congregations. We are seeking individuals who are currently or have been health care professionals or others who have a strong interest in promoting health related programs to their congregation or to PC(USA). [Read more]

A Guide to Holding a Congregational Health Fair
A resource that was developed as a guide to conducting a health fair. Reading through the suggestions may be helpful to gear your health fair towards the particular needs of your congregation. [Read more]

Resources for Planning a Congregational Health Fair
Resources for planning a Congregational Health Fair. [Read more]

Health and Wellness Resources

National Institutes of Health Stops Estrogen Study
Summarization of the recent study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) determining, for the second time in two years, hormone replacement therapy causes sufficient risk to women. This resource contains a link for more information on hormone replacement therapy, and a link to read more detailed information on the NIH Estrogen Study. [Read more]

Healthy Steps-A Simple Program for Healthier Living
A program and personal workbook designed to provide information about healthy living. The program can assist in deciding upon lifestyle practices that might need changing, can show new practices, and assist in creating a personalized action plan to achieve healthy goals. The workbook contains six sections: change process/action plan; activity/exercise; nutrition; stress management; smoking cessation; diabetes; and an appendices with detailed information on activity/exercise, nutrition, and seat belt use information. [Read more]

Let's Get Moving! A Walking Program for Congregations
A congregational walking program designed to introduce congregations to the health value and enjoyment of a walking program, and, an opportunity to practice good stewardship of an individual's body and health. Many congregations are already using walking as an activity and some have formal walking programs in place. Let's Get Moving is an option for those who wish to have a more formalized program. [Read more]

Let's Get Moving! Walking Logs & Posters
Samples of posters to introduce walking programs into a congregation, and a sample of an individual walking sheet for a 12-week program. [Read more]

Mad Cows, Sick Chicks and Auntie Louise - Bird Flu/Avian Influenza
Resource that gives detailed background information on avian influenza - or bird flu - what sets bird flu apart from other flu, the risks of bird flu, the symptoms in people, and treatment. [Read more]

Mad Cows, Sick Chicks and Auntie Louise - Mad Cow Disease
Resource that discusses bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as Mad Cow Disease. Explains what BSE is and what risk there is to humans. [Read more]

Mad Cows, Sick Chicks and Auntie Louise - Making Food Preparation Less Risky
Basic guidelines for the safe handling of food - suitable for posting in church kitchens. These steps will help prevent food-borne illness by safely handling food in homes, churches, or other settings. [Read more]

Health Screenings/Exams
Recommended tests to promote health and decrease risk of developing many health problems that come with age. [Read more]

Health Issues for Men
Resource adapted from Mayo Clinic Educational Information. Information includes Top Ten Health Issues, Screening Tests-What, Why and How Often, and a downloadable Men's Health Quiz. Information includes facts on heart disease, cancer, stroke, accidents (unintentional injuries), diabetes, pneumonia and influenza, suicide, kidney disease, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, and recommended screening tests. [Read more]

Health Quiz
A quick health quiz that may be used to develop a health risk reduction plan. Simply select a statement in an area that you want to improve and then start making a change. [Read more]

20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors
Medical errors are one of the nation's leading causes of death and injury. A recent report by the Institute of Medicine estimates that more people die from medical errors than from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS. This resource describes what medical errors are and what steps patients can take to prevent them. [Read more]

Alternative and Complementary Medicine (CAM)
More patients than ever in the United States are going to practitioners of alternative medicine. Even with the growing acceptance of alternative and complementary medicine in our society, many people still struggle trying to make informed choices about the use of these practices. This resource is designed to help you make sense of the information in the media and on the Internet. [Read more]

Healthy Heart Handbook for Women
Heart disease is every woman's concern. It is not a condition that affects only men. This handbook tells you why you should be concerned about your own heart health, and what you can do to prevent heart disease. If you know you have heart disease, this booklet also suggests lifestyle changes that can help you protect your health. [Read more]

Recipes for a Healthy Heart
A supplement to the Health Heart Handbook for Women, with recipes from various ethnic groups that are full of taste, but lower in fat, cholesterol and sodium. [Read more]

Health Care Issues and Access to Care in Rural Areas
Rural communities are facing a multidimensional health crisis. Whether one defines the economic change in the rural U.S. as an agricultural revolution, a farm crisis, or a significant shift in the cultural paradigm, the health of the people living in small rural communities is vulnerable to the economic change and is suffering. This study explores the impact of the agricultural revolution and the resultant economical and cultural impact on health related issues in rural communities. [Read more]

Alzheimer's Disease Medication Update
A discussion of a new medication, Memantine, which has been released from clinical trials to treat people who have moderate or severe Alzheimer's disease. National Health Ministries is providing this update for information only, not to endorse or suggest this or any other pharmaceutical of therapeutic intervention. This resource contains information in a fairly technical manner. [Read more]

What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Resource containing comprehensive description of Alzheimer's disease, with answers to frequently asked questions. The information may be used by congregations, family caregivers, and congregational care teams as a supplement to rather than replace of information obtained from health care professionals. [Read more]

Frequently Asked Questions About Alzheimer's Disease
Another resource with answers to frequently asked questions regarding Alzheimer's disease. This is the first in a series of Health Ministrie Notes focusing on AD. [Read more]

Making Choices in Caring for Someone Who Has Alzheimer's Disease
Information on two very important choices - when to limit driving and what are appropriate living arrangements- which family members may face and must approach with a great deal of sensitivity. The information contained within this document provides tips on these dealing with these issues. [Read more]

Interacting with a Congregation Member Who Has Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease may make someone very familiar to you seem like a different person, and you may find that you experience discomfort. This resource provides tips on interacting with someone close who has Alzheimer's disease. [Read more]

Church and Society Magazine - Encircling Care: Alzheimer's Diseases and Congregational Caregiving
This web page brings up the Table of Contents for the book Church and Society Magazine Encircling Care: Alzheimer's Diseases and Congregational Caregiving. This issue of Church and Society Magazine continues the conversation about congregational caregiving, with a specific focus on older adults, particularly people and families struggling with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The book is published and sold by the Presbyterian Church (USA). [Read more]

10 Steps to Keeping Your Memory Sharp
Though it's impossible to predict memory loss, you can do your best to prevent it. To keep your noggin nimble as you age, follow these ten steps.
[Read more]

Health Advisory: 2004 Flue Season - Early and Deadly
Health advisory for the 2004-2005 flu season: coping with vaccine shortages and congregational concerns. This resource provides common sense suggestions to help decrease the risk of spreading the flu among congregation members. [Read more]

Myths About the Flu
Think you know all about the flu? This resource responds to 8 myths about the flu. [Read more]

Other Health Information Sources
Resources for credible and reliable health and wellness information. Includes websites to find basic health information as well as a wide variety of other health-related subjects. [Read more]

Health, Healing and Wholeness Resources

Health, Healing and Wholeness
Healing was a very important part of the early church's ministry. As describe din the Bible and lived in the ministry of the early church, health is seen as something basic and important in its physical, mental and spiritual dimensions. This resource discusses how to be good stewards of the gifts of our body. [Read more]

Health Awareness Week 2004-Celebrating Health, Healing and Wholeness
A packet designed for Health Awareness Week in 2004. This resource is designed to assist you in planning for your Health Awareness Week Sunday service, and for using Health Awareness Sunday as an opportunity for beginning on-going programs and can be used throughout the year in order to be involved in health education and advocacy. [Read more]

Depression

My Christmas Tree is Down: and So am I: Winter Blues and Post-Holiday Blahs, and Seasonal Disorder (SAD)
Resource discusses clinical depression, and offers suggestions on how congregations can be supportive. The article is not written as a diagnostic tool. While it outlines indicators for depression, it should not replace the evaluation and therapeutic intervention of a trained health professional. [Read more]

Coping With Trauma and Loss - A Special Help for Congregations
This resource is an extensive article that covers Special Help for Congregations, Why do the Righteous Suffer, and Helping Children Cope With Disaster. It is adapted from information developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Family Protection Program, in cooperation with the American Red Cross Community Disaster Education Program and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. [Read more]
Download Coping with Trauma and Loss

Coping With Trauma and Loss - Coping With Loss
All those who experience and survive a disaster suffer loss. They suffer loss of safety and security, loss of property, loss of community, loss of status, loss of beauty, loss of health, or loss of a loved one. Following a disaster, all individuals begin a natural and normal recovery process through mourning and grief. This resource discusses loss, trauma and grieving, and offers suggestions on how to deal with our typical response to them. [Read more]

Coping With Trauma and Loss - Trauma-Related Stress
Individuals who have survived in the midst of a traumatic event often suffer psychological stress related to the incident. This resource discusses the various types of stress disorders and offers suggestions on dealing with them. [Read more]

Coping With Trauma and Loss - Suggestions for Congregations
This resource offers suggestions to assist congregations cope with trauma and loss. [Read more]

Resources for Coping with Loss and Traumatic Stress
A short list of resources for coping with trauma and stress. Included is the organization's name, address, phone number(s), and website address. [Read more]

Encircling Care Congregational Care Teams - Basic Information for Family Caregivers and Caregiving
Americans are living longer. This means that more people will have older relatives and will experience the stresses and rewards of providing care for them. Families are the primary source of assistance for older people who are unable to meet all of their own needs. Family caregivers provide 80-90 percent of the care that older relatives receive. This resource is a guide to preparing for the role of caregiver. [Read more]

HIV/AIDS Resources

HIV/AIDS
Statistics show that in our churches and neighborhoods, there are people living with or touched by HIV/AIDS. Many need to talk about it, but don't know how. It is important that congregations respond to meet those needs. This resource provides general information on HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and Congregational Ministry Care Team. [Read more]

HIV/AIDS & The Older Adult -Video and Study Guide
The face of HIV/AIDS is changing. The newest population to be substantially affected is people over 50. This resource discusses this growing health concern for older adults. HIV/AIDS is still a critical and growing issue. Churches can take a leading role in breaking the silence by making the topic discussable and by helping to educate all people. [Read more]

Parish Nursing Resources

Encircling Care - A Congregational Guide to Beginning and Implementing a Parish Nurse Ministry
Parish nursing is a special genre of a larger mission-centered ministry - Health Ministry or Ministry of Health. In order to begin a Parish Nursing Ministry, it is necessary for a congregation to have available an individual who meets the American Nursing Association criteria outlined in their "Scope and Standard." Although the majority of the information included in this resource is directed toward the ministry of Parish Nursing, much applies as well to a ministry of health. [Read more]

Training Program Resource List for Parish Nursing
Resources for parish nurse preparation, courses and training, programs, and contacts. Although National Health Ministries does not endorse any of the preparation courses listed, they are provided in answer to many requests from congregations that seek information about training/education for Parish Nurses. [Read more]

Serious Mental Illness Resources

Serious Mental Illness
National Health Ministries seeks to enable and empower individual Presbyterians, congregations, presbyteries, and synods to understand serious mental illness and to be in ministry with persons and their families affected by this illness. This is done through the creation of educational resources, the providing of training programs, consultants, and start-up grants . This document provides a variety of resources for mental illness awareness. [Read more]

Serious Mental Illness
Making your congregation more aware of serious mental illness is important. Mental illness touches many lives. As a church, we need to respond to mental illness effectively, compassionately, and together. This resource is a packet developed for Mental Illness Awareness Sunday in 2004 with extensive information on understanding/educating about mental illness. [Read more]

Resources for Older Adult Ministries

Encircling Care - Basic Information for Family Caregivers and Caregiving
Americans are living longer. This means that more people will have older relatives and will experience the stresses and rewards of providing care for them. Families are the primary source of assistance for older people who are unable to meet all of their own needs. Family caregivers provide 80-90 percent of the care that older relatives receive. This resource is a guide to preparing for the role of caregiver. [Read more]

Housing Options for Older Adults
Older adults have many options for housing, including staying in their own homes with home health services when needed. The list contained in this resource is not intended to be a definitive description of the types of housing available, rather, it is a starting point for understanding what different options might offer. State regulations vary greatly and services that can be offered in one type of facility in one state may not be allowed in others . [Read more]

A Caregivers Guide to Staying Healthy
Caregiving and care taking can be very draining - p hysically and emotionally. If you are in a care giving relationship, you will need to take especially good care of your-self! This is not being selfish. One cannot take care of another if one is not taking care of one's self. To take care of your health, you need to feel comfortable talking with the people who are focused on your health. This resource provides tips to help make you feel more comfortable. [Read more]

HIV/AIDS & The Older Adult -Video and Study Guide
The face of HIV/AIDS is changing. The newest population to be substantially affected is people over 50. This resource discusses this growing health concern for older adults. HIV/AIDS is still a critical and growing issue. Churches can take a leading role in breaking the silence by making the topic discussable and by helping to educate all people. [Read more]

Making Choices in Caring for Someone Who Has Alzheimer's Disease
Information on two very important choices - when to limit driving and what are appropriate living arrangements- which family members may face and must approach with a great deal of sensitivity. The information contained within this document provides tips on these dealing with these issues. [Read more]

Useful Family Care Giving Links and Information

Miles Away: The MetLife Study of Long-Distance Caregiving
Findings from a national study by the National Alliance for Caregiving, July 2004. The MetLife Mature Market Institute is the company's information and policy resource center on issues related to aging, retirement, long-term care and the mature market. The National Alliance of Caregiving, established in 1996, is a nonprofit coalition of national organizations that focuses on issues of family caregiving across the life span. Recognizing that family caregivers make important societal and financial contributions toward maintaining the well-being of those for whom they care, the Alliance's mission is to be the objective national resource on family caregiving with the goal of improving the quality of life for families and care recipients. [Read more]

caregivers-USA
Free nationwide database that puts caregivers in touch with support services nationwide. [Read more]

Family Caregiver Alliance
This website is a public voice for caregivers whose pioneering programs - information, education, services, research and advocacy - support and sustain the important work of families nationwide caring for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions. [Read more]

Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA)
The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) is a national non-profit organization established in 1999 by the American Geriatrics Society. Their website aims to build a bridge between the research and practice of Geriatrics and the Public, and to advocate on behalf of older adults and their special health care needs. [Read more]

Empowering Caregivers - Choices, Healing, Love
Website which hosts chats weekly with featured expert guests. The site also contains message boards/forums, experts, caregiving articles, inspiration, suggested readings, greeting cards, and more. [Read more]

Elder-Web
Website featuring news, articles and press releases for the benefits of seniors. [Read more]

Nursing Home Information
This is a website designed by a social worker with many years of work experience in nursing homes. The purpose of the site is his desire to help others with problems or questions related to nursing homes, Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, patient rights, advance treatment directives, etc. The site also s upplies nursing home ratings. [Read more]

Peace of Mind
Resources for people coping with long-term care issues in Canada. [Read more]

Caregivers Network, Inc.
This website is a Canadian resource center for caregiving. It has gained an international reputation for providing original and uniquely personal information to help family caregivers meet the challenges of aging and eldercare. [Read more]

Caregiving.com
Website offering solutions to caregiving situations. It focuses on managing the stress, making decisions, and discovering the meaning. [Read more]

ElderCare Online
Online support community for caregivers of the elderly. ElderCare Online is a beacon for people caring for aging loved ones, who are committed to providing an online community where supportive peers and profess [Read more]

AARP
Website supplying information, advocacy, and benefits for people age 50 and over. [Read more]

CAPS - Children of Aging Parents
Children of Aging Parents is a nonprofit charitable organization for whose mission is to assist the caregivers of the elderly or chronically ill with reliable information, referrals and support, and to heighten public awareness that the health of the family caregivers is essential to ensure quality care of the nation's growing elderly population. CAPS averages about 18,000 requests for assistance per year. [Read more]

National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)
NNFCA is a national organization supplying education, support, empowerment, and advocacy for family caregiving. The website offers many valuable resources. [Read more]

Additional Resources

Congregational Health Ministry Survey
A survey designed to identify the health needs and interests of members, to introduce new ideas about health and wholeness, to discern the church's present health ministries, and to discover resources for additional health ministry actions. [Read more]

Resources for Planning a Congregational Health Fair
This document contains suggestions for local resources that can provide assistance in planning a congregational health fair, and an extensive list of national resources on a wide variety of subjects. [Read more]

Health Information With Comprehensive Resources
A comprehensive listing of resources, materials and contacts provided by the National Health Ministries. Information can be found on subjects from Alzheimer's Disease to West Nile Virus. [Read more]

Presbyterian Health Ministries Discussion Group
On-line discussion group for topics such as health ministries, care teams, healing, wellness, parish nursing, care support, caregiving. [Email]

National Health Ministries Community
Resources for a wide variety of online discussion groups for national health ministries. [Read more]

Grants - Guidelines
The Office of National Health Ministries is formalizing the process whereby entities may request and receive funding to support health ministries work in congregations and other divisions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Beginning with the challenge put forth by the 200th General Assembly in 1988, Life Abundant: Values Choices and Health Care , National Health Ministries has supported a diverse array of projects, programs and needs. The overture relating to care teams, emanating from the 212th General Assembly further mandated that congregations be "educated, trained and empowered" in the care team model. Toward that end, considerable effort and funds have been spent in developing the groundwork for that mandate to be fulfilled. Opportunities for financial support available through National Health Ministries will be utilized to bring that mandate closer to fruition. This resource contains information on the grant procedure for funding. [Read more]

Demonstration Grant Application Form
Application for grants which develop a new and different Health Ministry Program related to Congregational Care Teams. [Read more]

Congregational Care Team Training Grant Application Form
Application for grants utilized by congregations to begin or to formalize existing care team ministries. [Read more]

Parish Nursing Grant Application Form
Application for grants that develop a new or significantly expand existing Parish Nursing Programs. [Read more]

Seminary Based Health Ministries (SBHM) Grant Application Form
Application for grant for Seminary Based Health Ministries Project Plan. [Read more]

Interim Grant Reporting Form
Application for grant for projects funded by Health Ministries USA in 2003. [Read more]

Family Caregiver Links and Information
Variety of resources for caregivers. [Read more]