Financial Support
- Social Security Disability provides eligible employees with a qualifying medical condition monetary benefits. This program is generally for people who are unable to work for a year or more. You can apply as soon as you are disabled, you do not have to wait until a year has passed. ssa.gov/disability/
- Short-Term Disability requires a Disability Determination based on inability to work for a year or more when not receiving Social Security Disability. Instructions for filing differ based on your health insurance and state.
- User guide to understand your medical bills and dispute unnecessary or erroneous ones: pennpirgedfund.org
Legal Support
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) is dedicated to improving the quality of legal services provided to older adults and people with disabilities. You can search for a lawyer here. https://www.naela.org/
- A Better Balance is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing justice for workers, so that they can care for themselves and their families without jeopardizing their economic security. They have a helpline in English and Spanish: 1-833-NEED-ABB or 1-833-633-3222
https://www.abetterbalance.org/
Employment Support
- Federal Family and Medical Leave Act allows eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave. dol.gov/whd/fmla
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services are offered to eligible people with disabilities to help them gain employment in their state of residence. You can find them via google. Nebraska VR Services can be found here. http://www.vr.nebraska.gov/offices/
- Job Accommodation Network provides free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues: https://askjan.org/
Insurance and other kinds of assistance
- Ask for a consultation with a social worker.
- Also, consider calling your congressperson. Many have staff with expertise related to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal benefits.
Respite Services
- ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center offers a range of resources for people to get paid for caregiving, to planning for respite, paying for respite, and identifying respite providers:
https://archrespite.org/caregiver-resources/
Community Integration/Wellbeing
- BRaIn Training and Exercise Program (BRITE Program) aims to promote the overall health and wellness of people with mild cognitive impairment who want to optimize their physical, cognitive, and social functioning https://www.britewellness.org/
ICU-Specific
The Society of Critical Care Medicine has developed educational materials for ICU patients and families.
Chest has published an ICU Guide.
Lara Goitein, MD wrote a book called The ICU Guide for Families: Understanding Intensive Care and How You Can Support Your Loved One. It provides rich detail about the equipment, personnel, and procedures of the ICU as well as what comes next.