December 18, 2025 — Caring for a loved one can be both rewarding and incredibly challenging. Many family caregivers take on this responsibility with little or no formal training, often feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or uncertain about how to provide the best care. Caregivers across the region have discovered the NC Trualta Caregiver Portal, which offers accessible education, emotional support, and practical tools to help them succeed in their roles.
Trualta, offered through Centralina’s Family Caregiver Support Program, fosters a strong sense of community through access to support groups and opportunities for peer connection. Caregivers can share experiences, exchange advice, and find encouragement from others who understand their challenges. This sense of belonging can help combat the loneliness and confusion that many caregivers experience, especially those without formal caregiver training.
Accessibility and Flexibility
The Trualta platform can be accessed anytime, allowing caregivers to learn at their own pace. Lessons are short and practical, often taking just a few minutes to complete, making it easier for busy caregivers to fit learning into their daily routines. After caregivers sign up, Trualta provides personalized recommendations based on their specific caregiving situation. Whether you’re caring for an aging parent with dementia or a spouse recovering from surgery, the lessons cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Personal care tasks such as bathing and dressing
- Home safety measures
- Communication techniques
- Managing challenging behaviors
- Strategies for self-care and stress management
Accessing the Trualta Caregiver Portal.
Centralina’s Family Caregiver Program staff ensure all caregivers who contact the program receive information on how to register and understand the value of the Trualta Caregiver Portal. They take the time to provide digital assistance, explain its benefits and encourage caregivers to join the portal.
Tamara’s Experience
Caregiver Tamara Massey is an active user of Trualta. She cares for her father, who has Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and a rare form of lymphoma. Tamara participates in support groups and accesses articles and videos, particularly those addressing caregiver isolation and depression. Trualta offers courses related to their father’s diagnoses, and on her own time, she’s able to read articles to learn more and gain understanding as she goes.
Tamara also participates in Trualta’s anonymous support groups and genuinely enjoys the sense of community that has developed within them. In the support group, she connects with others across North Carolina through chat.
“Caregiving can be very isolating,” said Tamara. “The materials provided by Trualta help me feel more supported and less alone.”
Tamara recommends Trualta to other caregivers, encouraging them to take advantage of the available resources and supportive community. She appreciates that the courses and webinars are recorded, allowing her to review the slides and recordings later without penalty if she can’t attend live sessions. In particular, she finds the emergency preparedness information helpful. It provides tips on creating a “grab and go” bag, preparing supplies, and organizing emergency contact lists.
Preparing for the Unexpected: Emergency Preparedness
While caregivers are accustomed to handling the unexpected, it’s important to have a plan for emergencies. Understanding your care recipient’s unique risks is essential when developing a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan.
Trualta provides an Emergency Preparedness Workbook, which includes forms, worksheets, and checklists to guide you through the planning process.
What to Include in Your Emergency Plan:
- Care Recipient Information
Include details that could help friends, first responders, or healthcare staff provide the best possible care. What may seem obvious to you might not be known to others, so be thorough.
- Medical Equipment & Aids
List all medical or assistive devices your care recipient uses, such as hearing aids, mobility aids, or communication devices.
- Important Documents
Keep copies of essential health, financial, and legal documents in an easily accessible place.
- Support Network
Record contact information for people who can step in to help if you’re unavailable such as family, friends, professionals, and local resources.
- Emergency Bag
Prepare a go-bag with essential items your care recipient may need if they must leave home quickly.
For more information on emergency preparation and caregiving support, reach out to Centralina’s Family Caregiver Support Program and ask about the full NC Trualta Caregiver Portal.
