Discussion forum for aging parent topics?

Could anyone recommend a discussion board for topics related to aging parents, medicare, nursing home placements, checklists - that sort of thing? A board as wonderful as this one is impossible but anything close?

I know I've tried other discussion boards for different medical issues and most of them are pretty useless so if someone has a suggestion that would be a great help.
Thanks - Erica

Don't know of a board. You might try searching from the "care giver" perspective. Years ago when an aunt's father had a stroke, the book "The 36 hour day" was suggested and we've found it helpful as other family members have reached the age of needing care. While it focuses on Dementia and Alzheimer disease, there are good chapters about how the person needing care will react to the change in roles and making the decision that it's time for a nursing home.

Although not a caregiver, I run a caregiver support group in our community and the participants are dealing with many different issues. Bunnie is right, look for a caregiver group you can join or start, even with just two people; talking about things helps. As seen by this board issues and concerns can be shared which makes the load much lighter.
The most important thing through all this is to remember YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON, and if you do not look after your own needs first you will be not be in a fit state to look after their needs.
Good Luck and trust your "gut" feelings. Christine

I forgot to mention, it is a senior support group. C

Thank you for the suggestions. This is for my m.i.l. and at this point the main thing I need is practical information, like how to maneuver specific medicare ordeals and how to handle a big geographic move, checklists, whether others have dealt with big bp drops after surgery and if that combined with edema and neuropathy is a significant pattern... things like that. She will be a thousand miles away from us so we won't be primary caretakers.

I got to thinking that the kind of information and support we share here is exactly what I could use regarding this situation and it would be great if I could find a similar community.
Erica

Erica have you checked to see if AARP has anything?

Hi Erica,
I know these are Australian sites but you may find them helpful.
www.agedcareonline.com.au
www.agedcareforums.com
We are in a similar situation with parents in law - both 85, living at home still.
Cheers,
mj

Erica, A support group on the internet for these issues is a great idea, but would probably need to be fairly localised.
I was working as an aged-care nurse when we had to get my MIL into care. Even with all the assistance and information anyone could expect it was still a very stressful and confusing time. As well as ensuring she got proper medical help which was a big++ thing in itself, at the same time we had to clean out her house (she is a clutterer), sell it and look for a nursing home for her. If the house wasn't sold within 6 months (during gfc) huge interest was to be paid to the NH.
There were no other siblings so it all fell on Peter and myself.
And then there was the very complicated aged-care funding system. Bonds for low care, aged-care funding instruments for high care. Dulcie went in as high care, was low care within the first month and is now high care. This was still confusing for me even though I had been involved in doing assessments for the system.
It worked out ok for us and Dulcie has stubbornly ignored the doctor's orders to die - twice. She has also managed to keep a sense of humor which makes such a difference. Her NH is close to us so it goes well for all.
My main problem was the majority of the hospital staff's total lack of insight and understanding of the situation. In my experience, it is very important for the elderly to have support when they are in hospital and for someone to advocate for them.
It is also helpful if quality of life issues can be discussed openly by those concerned.
It is a difficult time for all concerned and I imagine very frustrating for you not being there. Just having other family members who cared and who I could talk to on the phone was a huge help.
I hope all goes well for your MIL.
Take care of yourself.
Sally

I came across this today in the Nov. Reader's Digest:

aadmm.com for American Assoc. of Daily Money Managers

caremanager.org for Nat'l Assoc of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

www.eldercare.gov for local services

aarpkb.benefitscheckup.org to learn about public benefit programs

lotsahelpinghand.com, cozi.com, google.com/calendar to help everyone coordinate efforts

I haven't visited any of them, don't know if they have chats, but thought they might be helpful. Ann, Caitlin's Mom