Is there any help for Caregivers
 

I am trying to help a friend who's wife has Parkinson's and he is the sole caregiver 24/7 and he needs time out.

Is there any FREE SERVICES that he can get for a few hours a week?

He is in his 80's and ask me if there is any help out there.
My wife has ALS and I don't know if they are entitled to to same services.

If anyone can help please step forward and help us go in the right direction.
We live in Ohio.

Looking forward in hearing back.

She has just been going to a doctor.

Is there any Parkinson's ***, like there is ALS ***. that can help them?

Caregiver support
 

Hi ToeJoe
Although I'm unable to help your friend out personally by assisting with care I also have a friend with Parkinson's and thought I would do some searching for you to see what resources might be in your state - Ohio. Unfortunately I don't think I can provide direct links as I think they're likely to get edited out but if you search these particular topics you might get some leads. I understand the need that the support be FREE - I'm not sure if they are but maybe by asking they could direct you to other places they know about. Also if they don't already belong to a local Parkinson's Support Group joining one may be a good source of information. Good luck

I came across this which has some info which may be useful:
Sourced from Parkinson's News: Volume 34 Issue 11 November 2014
National Parkinson's Foundation: www.parkinson.org/caregivers.
In addition to the resources through NPF, our Ohio chapter offers support groups specifically for the caregiver. They are part of the support group listing beginning on page 6 of this newsletter. In addition to contacting our office (614.890.1901), the NPF provides a Helpline staffed by specialists with social work and nursing backgrounds Monday – Friday, 9:00
a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in both English and Spanish by calling 1-800-4PD-INFO (1.800.473.4636) or emailing questions to helpline@parkinson.org.
In support of providing care for the caregiver, our Chapter has some limited funds still available through the Family Caregiver Relief Fund, [/B]a program made possible through a grant received from NPF as a result of the money raised through Moving Day®. Please contact me for additional information by calling the office (614.890.1901) or email to ddavis@centralohioparkinson.org

Others:
Disability Rights Ohio: (disabilityrightsohio.org) this provides information on right of access to respite care. There are four highlighted links on their home page - I haven't read all of them but the 4th one links to "healthguide.org" which if you read down far enough has info on entitlements and how respite care can be funded.

Gardner McMaster Parkinson Center (Toledo)
Ohio Parkinson Foundation Southwest Region (www.manta.com)
Ohio Respite Coalition (Statewide)
Family caregiver Alliance (Nationwide)
Ohio Department of Aging (State Govt.)

Thanks for posting bluesfan!

To the OP I followed a google search for the southwest region of Ohio and it looks pretty active. Here's a link to their most recent newsletter with info on caregiver's resources on the last page. If you're not in the southwest area then check out some of the other info via google.

http://static1.squarespace.com/stati...March+2015.pdf