Caregiver Resources
Helping you help others
Taking care of a loved one can be very rewarding. It can also be very challenging. At Simply Healthcare Plans, Inc., you’re not alone. Everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, even caregivers. We’re here to help you.
The resources and tools you’ll find on this page are designed to help you with your day-to-day tasks as a caregiver and taking care of your loved one and yourself.
Getting started
The first step is to find out what kind of caregiver you are and what kind of help you may need. Each person’s situation is unique, so finding the right tools is important to help you give the best care you can. Take the assessment below to help you find the resources you need.
Help is just a call or a click away
To make sure you have the right tools at your fingertips, Simply has a wide range of resources to assist you. Call us at 1-877-440-3738 (TTY 711) or call your loved one’s Simply LTC Case Manager directly to speak with them. Your loved one’s case manager can help with caregiving challenges, urgent needs and specialized services.
Simply also provides:
- Community resources
- Health plan resources, like a nurse who can answer health questions anytime, day or night, at 1-844-406-2396 (TTY 711)
- Caregiver training and educational resources
- The member’s care plan
Keep track of your loved one’s phone numbers, appointments, finances and more with the Simply Caregiver Organizer. This all-in-one binder lets you easily organize all the vital information you need. Just ask your loved one’s Simply LTC Case Manager to have one sent to you.
Member benefits and resources
We offer many benefits and services for your loved ones, our Simply LTC members. We also partner with organizations to offer some resources.
We have case managers who can work with you and the doctors to help the family member or friend you’re caring for get the health care they need. Case managers can help with setting up health care services and getting referrals.
We have community support for members who have special needs or complex conditions and need help with benefits and services.
Your Simply LTC member gets their medications from CarelonRx Pharmacy. For questions about their prescriptions or to speak to a pharmacist, please call Pharmacy Member Services at 1-833-214-3607.
To help members manage their chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, etc., we offer the ability to meet with doctors and specialists at home through a tablet or computer with LiveHealthOnline. Learn more or sign up for free now.
Members can get rides to doctor visits and long-term care sites such as Adult Day Care at no cost. As a caregiver, you can ride along. To set up a ride, call the transportation services number listed on the back of the Simply member ID card at least two business days before the visit.
Call 1-877-440-3738 (TTY 711) to learn more about these services.
Caregiver benefits and resources
Caring for others as well as yourself can be a challenge. Let Simply help you make it easier to care for your loved ones with benefits and resources for you.
Your loved one may be given extra hours of care at home or respite care at an adult day care or in a nursing home. This gives you support so you can attend to your own needs.
Your mental health needs matter, too. Your loved one’s benefit will allow you to get therapeutic support to help manage the demands of being a caregiver.
Simply will cover the cost of a one-year Amazon Prime subscription for you to get what you need delivered right to your home. You can also enjoy reading or listening to music through Prime Reading and Prime Music.
You and your loved one are given advice about treatments and other services in the member’s care plan, equipment use, updates needed to keep your loved one safely at home, and support to meet their needs.
When members leave the hospital, we engage members with a high risk for readmission and their families and caregivers and better meet health care needs by providing coordination and continuity of care in the transition home.
Members and their caregivers needing to travel more than 120 miles for medically necessary care get a lodging and food benefit. This Simply benefit removes some of the burden of having to travel far to support your loved ones.
For members whose care plan includes PDO services, they can choose to assess their caregiver to see if he/she meets their qualifications to be a paid direct service worker. PDO services are adult companion care, attendant care, homemaker services, intermittent and skilled nursing and/or personal care.
If you’re a caregiver of a Simply Healthcare Plans, Inc. member, you can access articles, books, and webinars on a variety of caregiving topics. You’ll also find tips on how to manage your role as a caregiver and take care of yourself.
Visit caregiving.com for these free resources.
Call 1-877-440-3738 (TTY 711) to learn more about these services.
Other helpful resources
There are other plan, state and national resources and tools available to assist you with caring for your loved ones and education.
- Community Resources for help to find community resources and social services throughout Florida
- Health & Wellness page with resources on many health topics from asthma to substance abuse
- Health A to Z online medical encyclopedia to help you check symptoms and find information about topics like preventive care, healthy eating and senior health
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs – National Family Caregiver Support Program
- U.S. Administration on Aging Eldercare Locator – a toll-free information and assistance hotline that helps older adults and their caregivers to find local support services
- Department of Children and Families
- Family Care Council Florida – Support Groups
- CaringCommunity.org – help planning for or living with serious illness and end-of-life issues
- The National Alliance for Caregiving leads policy analysis and tracks laws dealing with family caregiving issues and plans that focus on family caregivers
- Caregiver Action Network works to improve the quality of life for Americans who care for their loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease or the frailties of old age
- Caregiver Help Desk: 1-855-CARE-640
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institute on Aging leads a scientific effort to understand the aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia resources
Below are helpful resources from the Alzheimer’s Association. They can help those living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and their caregivers.
Know the 10 Signs
10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's is a brain disease. It causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Learn about typical changes that happen with age. Then learn what may be warning signs of Alzheimer's disease.
Why you should get checked early
Do you notice any of the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease? You might see them in yourself or someone you know. Learn why it’s important to get an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Find out about benefits. These can help those with a diagnosis and their families.
Caregiving
Legal and financial planning for caregivers
It’s a good idea to put legal and financial plans in place early. That lets the person living with dementia make decisions for themselves while they are able. It also lets them work through the complex issues in long-term care. Learn about:
- Common care costs.
- Important legal documents.
- Much more.
Stages of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease usually progresses slowly. It also affects each person differently. Learn about the stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Find out how abilities can change over time.
Communication strategies
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias make it harder to communicate. This happens slowly. Learn ways that caregivers and the person living with dementia can understand each other better.
Dementia-related behavior
The behavior of someone can change as Alzheimer's and other dementias progress. Learn about common behaviors in those with dementia. Then learn strategies for caregivers. These can help at any stage of the disease.
Caregiver stress
Stay strong physically and emotionally. It’s the best thing caregivers can do. It helps them and it also helps the person living with dementia. Learn the symptoms of caregiver stress. Then learn ways to avoid burnout.
Legal planning (advance directives)
It’s a good idea to make legal plans. It’s better to do it sooner rather than later. Caregivers and the person living with dementia will be more prepared. Learn about legal documents that can allow them to make choices about:
- Treatment
- Care
- End-of-life wishes
Person living with dementia
Live well
It is possible to live well in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Learn how to create a solid foundation. This will help you cope with new challenges and changes. It will also help you live your best life for as long as possible.
Overview of Alzheimer’s Association resources
Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900
- Find your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter
- Programs and supports
- Local resources (home care, residential care, adult day care)
Online training programs
10 warning signs of Alzheimer's
Learn the common warning signs of Alzheimer's. Then learn what symptoms to look for in yourself and others.
Effective communication strategies
Learn to understand messages in speech and behavior from someone with dementia. Then learn strategies to help caregivers connect and communicate. This will help at each stage of the disease.
Understanding Alzheimer’s and dementia
Learn about the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia. Learn about the stages, risk factors, and more. Closed captioning (CC) is available.
Blindness and visual impairment resources
Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is an organization that offers programs and services for people who have vision issues. They help these people build skills needed to achieve the most independence. Visit or call the Lighthouse nearest you for more information:
Miami Dade County
601 SW 8th Ave, Miami, FL 33130
305-856-2288
Broward County
650 N Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
954-463-4217
Central Florida
215 E New Hampshire St, Orlando, FL 32804
407-898-2483
Pasco County
9130 Ridge Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34654
727-815-0303
Manatee
7318 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243
941-359-1404
Have questions?
We’re here to help.
View the Simply Medicaid/LTC member handbook.
Ask your loved one’s Simply LTC Case Manager.
Call Simply LTC Case Management Services at 1-877-440-3738 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.