Resources for Senior Adults and Their Caregivers

 

Caregiver Support

Austin Caregivers’ Circle meets the fourth Wednesday from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. virtually. Contact Barbara Wiederaenders at (512) 451-0684 or bwiederaenders#stt.net

Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets the second Wednesday of the month from 10:15 – 11:15 a.m.in the Parish Activity Center at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Contact Chantelle Morris at chantelle@austin.rr.cm for more information.

AGE of Central Texas resource center can be found at AGEofCentralTexas.org. All caregiver assistance is temporarily conducted via email. A list of Alzheimer’s disease Caregiver Support Groups can be found on their website at ageofcentraltx.org.

Caregiving Café at St. Catherine of Siena
This group meets via ZOOM on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. via ZOOM. The group offers family caregivers opportunity to receive information, resources, support, and solutions. Please RSVP at (523) 301-3560.

Caregivers Online is sponsored by Family Caregivers Alliance.
This email-based discussion group is available 24/7. More information is available on their website at www.caregiver.org/support-group. Share, interact, and learn from each other in a safe, supportive environment. There is no discussion monitor.
 

Grief Support Groups Sponsored by Austin Catholic Parishes

St. Albert the Great
Widows and Widowers – contact Shirley Kirk at O512) 339-9094

St. Catherine of Siena
Grief support groups and workshops on grief and loss. Contact Jeanette Britt, Bereavement support, (512) 89q-2428, Jeanette.britt@stcatherine-austin.org

St. Ignatius Martyr, Grief Share
Contact Paul and Lola Duffy at griefshare@st-ignatius.org

St. John Neumann, Men’s Grief Sharing Ministry
Contact Tony Spinelle at (817) 680-3525
ajspinelle@yahoo.com

St. Thomas More
Grief and Loss support group
Contact Jennifer Bibbo, Director of Outreach and Pastoral Care, at bibbo@stmaustin.org or at (512) 258-1161, ext. 256

Dementia Caregiver Support Group
2nd Wednesday of each month from 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. in the Parish Activity Center (PAC)
Contact Chantelle Morris at chantelle@austin.rr.com
 

Transportation

Need help with transportation in Austin? A list of transportation options and assistance can be found here.
 

Helpful Information About Choosing Home Care

This guide was prepared by Sr. Ann Pennington, SFCC, D. Min. and is for those considering Home Care for themselves or a loved one.
 

Does Your Loved One Need Senior Living?

This guide was prepared by Sr. Ann Pennington, SFCC, D. Min.
 

Downsizing and Senior Living Resources

Need information on Senior Living facilities in the Austin area, caring.com is one of many resources that could be helpful https://www.caring.com/senior-living/assisted-living/texas/austin.

Interested in learning more about assisted living and other types of living arrangements for senior adults, this link may be helpful https://www.senioradvice.com/assisted-living

This free resource provides comprehensive information on topics like financial support and care options that are available in Texas, and offers resources for every city and state across the country.  
https://www.seniorhousingnet.com/seniorliving-search/austin_tx/assisted-living_type

Want more information about options for downsizing or moving? Here on tips to help you or a loved one with the process. https://www.seniorhomes.com/senior-downsizing-guide/

For information on medicare plan differences and how to apply:

retireguide.com/medicare/
retireguide.com/guides/senior-benefits-discounts/
 

A Guide to Hospice

This guide to hospice was prepared by Sr. Ann Pennington, SFCC, D.Min.  Sr. Ann has served as a hospice chaplain.

 

Adult Day Care in Austin

AGE Thrive Social and Wellness Center
(512) 458 -6305. 3710 Cedar St., 78705
Medication management and health monitoring from highly skilled full-time nurses
Life affirming activities designed to engage mind and body
Affordable quality care at $70 per day, covered by Medicaid and Veterans’ benefits
All inclusive with personal and medical care, activities, meals and snacks, and transportation options

Assisted living facilities that offer day care: 
For information about each day care program, call the facility at the numbers listed.
Barton Hills Assisted Living
(512) 441 – 6000, 1606 Nash Ave., 78704
Offers arts and crafts, board games and puzzles, exercise classes. Movies, etc.
Autumn Leaves of Northwest Austin
1-855-221-7955, 10025 Anderson Mill Rd., 78750
Silverado Onion Creek
1-855-241-4685, 11330 Farrah Ln., 78748
Southern Hospitality Home
(512) 451-8400, 5000 Shoalwood Ave., 78756
Barton Hills Guest House
1-855-243-3078, 1809 Ford St., 78704

St. Thomas More Catholic Church
Contact Anne Rodriguez at   (512) 918-8520
Church address:  10205 RR 620, 78726
Meets each Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.  – 2:00 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center
Continental breakfast and lunch
Activities designed to stimulate physically and mentally
Participants must be ambulatory with minimal assistance and able to communicate verbally.
 

Recommended Books for Family Caregivers

How to Care for Aging Parents by Virginia Morris
This is a one-stop resource for all your medical, financial, housing, and emotional issues.  3rd Edition which is completely revised and expanded
Published in 2014 by Workman Publishing Company, Inc.

A Catholic Guide to Caring for Your Aging Parent by Monica Dodds
This is a comprehensive guide for caregivers. Dodds insists that faith is a fundamental part of caregiving and her approach is deeply rooted I Catholic spirituality. She explains how to properly assess the needs of an older person and writes in detail about the physical, mental, emotional, interpersonal, and spiritual dimensions of care.
Published in 2006 by Loyola Press

Midwife for Souls:  Spiritual Care of the Dying (Revised Edition) by Kathy Kalina
Oftentimes, caregivers, friends, and family are unsure of what to say and what to do to comfort the sick and the dying. Midwife for Souls provides specific Catholic insights and highlights the power of prayer as a guide. This best-selling book has been revised to include a new section of inspiring stories and lessons learned in hospice ministry.
Published in 2007 by Pauline Books and Media

The 36-Hour Day:  A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer’s Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss by Nancy L. Mace
The 36-Hour Day is the definitive dementia care guide. After 35 years, it remains the indispensable guide for countless families and professionals caring for someone with dementia. Through five editions, The 36-Hour Day has been an essential reference for families who love and care for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Published in 2017 by Johns Hopkins Press

The Fundamentals of Guardianship:  What Every Guardian Should Know edited by Sally Balch Hurme, elder law attorney and author
This book will appeal to all who have been appointed as guardian or conservator, whether lawyer, family member, friend, volunteer, or public entity, as well as all those who serve vulnerable adults.
Published in 2016 by ABA Book Publishing