Welcome to our Guidebook

Welcome to Erie County's most extensive resource to help adult children and their parents plan for the future and deal with current concerns and caregiving needs. Our on-line Guide book will provide you with the vital information you will need in one easily accessible location.

Our website contains

• An Extensive On-line Guide Book which contains 11 categories of information
• Extensive Guide Book Publications
• Resources for older adults and their loved ones in Erie County
• Profiles of Local Agencies
• Internet Links to local, state, and national web sites

• Identify your needs, and the needs of your parent, spouse, or other loved ones, as their needs change
• Find help from the people in Erie County who can help you
• Link you to other health and aging resources, in Erie, in Pennsylvania and across the U.S.
• Obtain information you need from our Library

The Purpose of our Guide Book

At the Erie Center on Health & Aging, we understand how over-whelming it can be, especially if you are facing a crisis due to an illness of a parent. We also know that there is a wealth of people and services in Erie County that are willing to assist you and your family. Our goal is to direct you to the information and resources you will need in order to provide the best support and care for your loved ones.

Where do you start?

It can be difficult to know where to turn from a phone book. That's why our Guide book gives you names of people that you can contact, and all the Erie County facilities, organizations, companies, and agencies that exist to help our local residents. Where possible, we also have complete descriptions of their services, or links to their websites.

When do you start?

Caregiving does not only mean caring for a person who is infirm and house-bound. Caregiving starts when you begin being concerned about your parents as they grow older. When your parents are healthy, you begin with advice in selecting the right insurance, and retirement planning. Caregiving continues with finding help in running errands, transportation, help in the home, choosing new doctors or medical care, or moving to a smaller house or apartment. If one parent dies, there are more concerns. Caregiving continues with assistance in choosing nursing care, living wills and funeral planning.

How Do I Use the "Guide Book?"

You'll find all the answers to these concerns, and more by using our quide book.  Start by using the Table of Contents.
Our web site organizes your concerns into 11 separate sections, so that you can find the information that you and your family members need, immediately when you need it the most.

First, we recommend that you answer our YES and NO questions to find out exactly what you or your loved ones immediately need. After completing "Assessing What Your Parents Need" Checklist, you will have the information to assist in planning for their future. The Checklist will guide you to the specific sections in the Guide Book, to provide you with detailed lists of Erie County resources, and printed books and materials, which can be sent to you.

How Do I Order Guide Book Materials?

We have compiled an extensive library of information, which consists of over 100 caregiving materials including manuals, pamphlets, articles, and even videos to enable you to care for your parents and other loved ones. After reviewing the descriptions in the Guide Book sections, you can order these materials from the Erie Center on Health & Aging. See Ordering Information for details. We ask for a small fee per section to cover costs of the publications and printing plus shipping and handling.

We'll also provide information and direct links to other local agencies as well as national resources.

The Stress of Caregiving

We understand that assisting your loved ones may not be an easy task. In fact, it can be a frustrating and stressful time to all of those involved in the situation. We feel that providing help to caregivers is an essential part to the caregiving process. We hope that our information will enable you to maintain your own well-being as well as the well-being of your loved ones.