Savvy Pro-active Caregivers Manage Crises Online Using Caring from a Distance Web Tools
Ready
access to timely information is critical when moving from reactive to
proactive caregiving. Tools needed include: access to personal health
records (PHRs) on-line; certified eldercare specialists to respond to
questions; private chat rooms; and 24/7conference-call capability.
Caring from a Distance (CFAD) is a web-based resource combining all
these features, plus access to searchable local service directories
containing enriched aging and disability content. CFAD helps caregivers
coping with emergencies to accurately share vital data quickly. The
website, designed for the novice, offers the savvy caregiver
time-saving paths to organized information and problem-solving
solutions. CFAD's target audience are among the most stressed of the
nation's caregiving cohort. Distance caregivers face great obstacles
identifying, communicating and efficiently navigating the nation's
uneven, patchy, complex and cumbersome Eldercare information highway.
To meet their challenges, CFAD has upgraded its toolkit.
Washington, D.C (PRWEB) -- Caring from a Distance (CFAD), the nation's first
non-profit dedicated to long distance caregivers, announces an update
of its comprehensive website http://www.cfad.org.
Improved features include an expanded list of on-line searchable
databases, and a new fully-encrypted format to organize and access
personal healthcare and medical information on-line.
In March, 2008, CFAD was cited by CNN's Health Reporter Elizabeth Cohen among ''Great Websites when Aging Parents Need Help.'' (http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/family/03/20/ep.family.care/index.html)
Its Service Directories, Glossary, Library and Links pages continue to
direct visitors to specific information critical for rapid
decision-making.
The site's revamped Family Records section, powered by CFAD's
technology partner Trilogy Integrated Resources, provides a private
place where plan-ahead diligence pays off. On a fully-encrypted
VeriSign server, like those used in online banking, family caregivers
can work together with care recipients to organize and store medical
and heath-related information, known as personal health records or
PHR's, in one convenient location. CFAD does not share this data with
third parties. Unlike paper records, access to such information is
available whenever and wherever it is needed.
PHR's are useful for managing chronic conditions like diabetes, or an
easy way to track multiple health histories. In crisis, vital data can
be swiftly shared with physicians, healthcare practitioners,
administrators of senior care or residential facilities, family,
trusted caregivers, or friends. The individual registrant decides what
records to share, with whom, and for how long. Medical history,
provider contact lists, medications, hospitalizations, tests,
treatments, and therapies are accessed upon login. The Legal Document
folder can include copies of a healthcare power of attorney, advance
medical directives, or even a will. The Insurance folder can hold
information on policies and types of coverage.
"Experienced distance caregivers count on proactive measures to balance
work, family and caring-from-afar responsibilities," says Nora Jean
Levin, CFAD's Executive Director. ''Our job is to provide finger-tip
access to information so they can function better in emergencies. While
we're here to listen, help and offer reassurance, we advise caregivers
to prepare for the unexpected and begin the process of entering
critical information on-line. Print out the results, share hard copies
with those who need to know, and they've got 'Plan A.' The good news is
that doing this upfront allows on-line access. We call that 'Plan B'.''
About Caring from a Distance (CFAD)
Formed in 2002, CFAD is a not-for-profit organization based in
Washington D.C. Founded, funded and staffed by caregivers, its mission
is to help long distance caregivers make well-informed timely medical
and social decisions that can maximize the well-being of those they
care for by connecting website visitors directly to a broad spectrum of
detailed information and resources. CFAD's Metro D.C. model includes
web-based application for local database searches, family-to-expert
blogs, critical medical information storage and professional articles.
The path-breaking Metro-DC database includes information on over 2600
local government, non-profit and for-profit programs.
CFAD is supported by foundation grants, on-line donations and many
individuals. USA.gov, the U.S. government's official web portal, links
direct to Caring from a Distance as a reliable information and service
resource for long distance caregivers. http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Health/caregivers.shtml#vgn-long-distance-caregiving-vgn
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