Help for Caregivers
Posted by mbladams on Oct 4th, 2007
There is a federal program called the Family Caregiver Support Program. It provides money that is distributed by local agencies for respite care, supplies and educational materials.
The agency I work for (in NC) has been able to provide a small amount of money for respite for a small amount of people we serve. I think it's around 30 hours/year. That isn't much, but it's a start. We also can help a few families buy some supplies (a tub chair, adult diapers, Ensure, etc.) And we've been able to purchase brochures and valuable information that we distribute from our office as well as hundreds of books that are available through our libraries.
Two websites that might be of help: ElderCare Locator: www.eldercare.gov This site will connect you to your "Area Agency on Aging." This agency, in turn, can connect you to agencies in your town or county that offer services to older adults and caregivers. They can tell you where to call in your community to speak to someone about the Family Caregiver Support Program.
U.S. Admin. on Aging: http://www.aoa.gov/index.asp This site has a lot of good information about the Family Caregiver Support Program and can also help you find who to speak with in your community.
at 7:47 p.m.
This information is very helpful, but I guess one of my frustrations during the years that I cared for my parent at home was how to access any of this support without making my parent feel that she was a burden or a care. I even felt uncomfortable having a book on caring for elders around the house, despite the fact that my parent is nearly legally blind.
Now that she is in a nursing facility, I've found that having an ombudsman is very helpful as is our Senior Center. I've also gain a lot from listening to other family members at the nursing facility's family council meetings.
at 1:02 p.m.
I understand what you mean about not wanting loved ones to think of themselves as a burden. But asking for help is NOT saying this person is a burden. We need to think of caregiving support groups, brochures, books, even respite care, as another tool to use for optimal health, just like medication, doctor's visits, good diet and exercise. Certainly, you wouldn't leave the "When Your Loved One Resists Care" brochure laying around, but most literature you get doesn't look at caregiving as this burden to overcome, but a natural state of life. It's like reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting" when you're pregnant!
And yes, your parents might worry that they are a burden to you. You can try to reassure them, and tell them you're only doing what they did for you when you were growing up. Most parents aren't offended by their kids attending support groups or using respite care, because they want the best for you and for you to care for yourself.
I think the hardest thing for caregivers is remembering that you can only be an effective caregiver if you care for yourself as well. If you are sick, physically or mentally, you don't do anyone any good.
at 9:18 a.m.
The pregnancy analogy here is appropriate. My friends who are in the thick of this with an aging parent say it's like raising kids all over again. Just as many questions ans stresses.