Caregiver Resources & Family Toolkit
Caring for an aging parent, spouse, or family member is one of the most selfless acts a person can undertake—and one of the most demanding. Legacy Health Foundation has assembled this comprehensive resource library to equip family caregivers with practical tools, evidence-based strategies, and community connections that reduce isolation and prevent burnout. Every resource below is free to access and reflects the collective expertise of our clinical social workers, community health workers, and the caregivers we serve.
Understanding Respite Care Options
Respite care provides temporary relief for primary caregivers, allowing them to attend to their own health, social needs, and personal responsibilities while ensuring their loved one receives quality supervised care. In the Portland metro area, respite options include in-home aide services through agencies licensed by the Oregon Department of Human Services, adult day health programs offering structured activities and medical monitoring, and short-term residential stays at licensed adult foster care homes and assisted living communities.
Funding sources for respite care include Oregon Project Independence (for individuals aged 60 and older with functional impairments who are not Medicaid-eligible), the National Family Caregiver Support Program administered through the Multnomah County Area Agency on Aging, Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waivers (K-Plan), and private long-term care insurance policies. Legacy Health Foundation also offers quarterly 48-hour respite weekends in partnership with three local adult day centers, providing caregivers with a full weekend of rest while their family member participates in supervised recreational and therapeutic programming.
To access respite services, contact our caregiver navigator at (503) 555-0194 extension 3 for a personalized assessment of available options, eligibility, and estimated costs. Our navigators handle the intake paperwork, coordinate with providers, and follow up to ensure the experience meets both caregiver and care recipient needs.
Medication Management Tips
Medication mismanagement is one of the leading causes of preventable hospitalizations among older adults. The average senior takes five to nine prescription medications daily, creating complex regimens that are difficult to manage without systematic support. As a caregiver, you can reduce medication errors and adverse drug interactions through the following evidence-based strategies.
Practical Steps for Caregivers
- ✓ Maintain a single, updated medication list including drug name, dosage, prescribing physician, pharmacy, and purpose. Bring this list to every medical appointment and emergency room visit.
- ✓ Use a weekly pill organizer with compartments for morning, afternoon, evening, and bedtime doses. Pre-fill organizers on the same day each week to establish a consistent routine.
- ✓ Request a comprehensive medication review from a clinical pharmacist at least annually, or whenever three or more new medications are added. Our partner pharmacists at Pacific University can conduct these reviews at no charge for LHF participants.
- ✓ Set phone alarms or use a medication reminder app to ensure time-sensitive medications (insulin, blood thinners, Parkinson’s medications) are administered within their prescribed windows.
- ✓ Never crush, split, or dissolve medications without pharmacist confirmation. Some formulations (extended-release tablets, enteric-coated pills) lose efficacy or become dangerous when altered.
Legacy Health Foundation offers a monthly Medication Management Review session in partnership with Pacific University School of Pharmacy. Clinical pharmacy students, supervised by licensed faculty pharmacists, review your loved one’s full medication regimen, identify potential drug interactions, suggest deprescribing candidates, and provide a written report for your primary care provider. Appointments are available by calling (503) 555-0194 extension 2.
Fall-Proofing Your Home: A Room-by-Room Checklist
Environmental hazards in the home account for roughly half of all falls among older adults. The following room-by-room checklist identifies the most common risk factors our community health workers encounter during in-home safety assessments. Address these modifications proactively to significantly reduce fall risk.
Bathroom
- ☐ Install grab bars beside toilet and in shower/tub
- ☐ Place non-slip mats inside tub and on bathroom floor
- ☐ Use a raised toilet seat if standing is difficult
- ☐ Install a handheld shower head with adjustable height
- ☐ Ensure adequate nighttime lighting (motion-sensor recommended)
Bedroom
- ☐ Place a nightlight between bed and bathroom
- ☐ Keep a phone or medical alert device within arm’s reach
- ☐ Remove loose rugs or secure with double-sided tape
- ☐ Ensure bed height allows feet to touch floor when seated
- ☐ Clear pathways of cords, shoes, and clutter
Kitchen
- ☐ Move frequently used items to waist-height shelves
- ☐ Replace step stools with sturdy, wide-base alternatives
- ☐ Use non-slip floor mats near sink and stove
- ☐ Install lever-style faucet handles
- ☐ Ensure adequate countertop lighting for food prep
Stairs & Hallways
- ☐ Install handrails on both sides of all stairways
- ☐ Apply non-slip treads to uncarpeted stairs
- ☐ Ensure light switches are accessible at top and bottom
- ☐ Remove all tripping hazards from hallways
- ☐ Consider a stairlift if stairs are used multiple times daily
To schedule a free professional home safety assessment with one of our trained community health workers, call (503) 555-0194 or visit our contact page. Assessments typically take 60 to 90 minutes and include a written report with prioritized recommendations and referrals to local aging-in-place modification contractors.
Caregiver Stress Management
Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that affects an estimated 40 to 70 percent of family caregivers, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance. Warning signs include persistent fatigue, withdrawal from activities you once enjoyed, increased irritability or sadness, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, and neglecting your own medical appointments. Recognizing these signs is not a weakness; it is the first step toward sustainable caregiving.
Our monthly caregiver support groups provide confidential peer conversation facilitated by licensed clinical social workers. Topics include boundary setting with family members, navigating guilt and grief, communicating with medical teams, and planning for your own long-term wellbeing. We also offer individual caregiver coaching sessions for those who prefer one-on-one guidance. Emergency caregiver crisis support is available through our partner, the Multnomah County Crisis Line, at (503) 988-4888.
Remember: you cannot pour from an empty cup. Taking time for your own health, rest, and social connections is not selfish; it is essential to providing quality care for the person who depends on you. Legacy Health Foundation is here to support you every step of the way.
Need Personalized Support?
Our caregiver navigators provide free, confidential one-on-one consultations to help you access respite services, navigate benefits, and develop a sustainable caregiving plan.