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“Caregiver Connections:
Utilizing Local Senior Resources
by Mary Z. McGrath, Ph.D.
Have you ever heard of a university that offers a major in Caregiving? Have you seen a syllabus anywhere with course offerings such as “Finding Support While Caring for a Family Member”, “Adapting to Lifestyle Changes When Married to Someone with Serious Illness” or “Avoiding Feeling Alone and Afraid as You Adapt to Unfolding Family Health Challenges”?
Perhaps at an earlier stage in life none of you serving in this role now consciously chose to have events unfold as they have to bring you into the position of being a caregiver.
Caregivers have found their way into this identity in various ways. For some it was by giving gradually increasing support for their recipient. For others this ways of life began with the shock of sudden onset illness in someone they had always known as independent and healthy. Regardless of how caregiving began in the life of the provider, it arrived replacing a predictable presence in their lives with change and unfamiliar challenges.
Another aspect in the lives of caregivers may be the sense of being alone, responsible and uncertain of what to do as new twists and turns occur in their lives. Fortunately for today’s caregivers and recipients, supportive networks exist throughout the area that provide assistance and help.
Where does a new and perhaps overwhelmed individual find support once they have begun to offer assistance to a family member or friend? Following are some suggestions to assist in that process.
Relating with the Medical Community - Once the doctor becomes more frequently involved and makes a diagnosis, own your right to create successful partnerships in the medical community. Arrive at your appointments prepared with a list of concerns and questions. This provides focus for your meeting and gives you and the doctor a starting point for discussion.
While at the clinic, take clear notes for follow up and future reference. Organization supports efficiency and keeps things in focus for the doctor. Show appreciation for the efforts of medical people. They not only deserve the affirmation but will also increase in appreciation for you as a supportive team member as well.
Ask about referrals to specialists and supportive services that would benefit your recipient such as speech, physical and occupational therapy. Learn what you can about current therapies and medications. Sometimes your footwork makes the difference in finding a service or opportune medication.
Attaching to an Organization - Often effective organizations exist that provide services for families dealing with a particular disease. Contact your library or enter the name of the illness into an internet search engine to find contact information for the support organization associated with your recipient’s specific illness. These organizations often provide timely and accurate magazines, brochures, a web site and telephone support for you.
By searching through their offerings you may find cutting edge research, the confidence of experience with terminology and the discernment for determining what is respectable information and worthwhile therapy and what is not.
Finding the Right Support Group - Such organizations offer support groups usually at no charge. Nothing helps like the actual experience of people who have “been there” and “get it”. Attendees at a caregiver support group not only exchange practical information, but also benefit from the modeling of others who cope amazingly well with difficult daily challenges. Identification with successful and courageous people breeds such competence and confidence in those nearby.
Another feature in some support groups is a corresponding group for the care recipient. Parallel and appropriate meetings that occur simultaneously indicate to both participants that they are not alone. The element of confidentiality provides the safety and security for attendees to be truly open and trusting. In such an environment participants easily share experiences they would find difficult conveying to friends and relatives unfamiliar with the caregiver journey. Over time, firm and supportive relationships develop not only among individuals but also among families.
Using Respite Services - Since caregiving comes with responsibility and personal sacrifice, those who have assumed this role need well-deserved breaks. Assisted living settings, skilled care and other facilities offer adult day care programs, apartments and rooms for temporary stays, There adults who need assistance with movement and medications receive supportive care as needed and a range of social activities, intellectual stimulation and balanced meals. Caregivers can be carefree for a few days, nights or a few weeks depending upon the needs of the family and the offering of a particular facility.
Community Services-Each county offers a different program for seniors and those in the caregiving role. Contemporary services make it possible for caregivers and their recipients to access phenomenal services at little or no cost. Social workers, home therapists and other specialists provide services and support in the home and at various community locations through transportation, personal needs assessments, classes, coaching, and resource lists of home health agencies and care facilities.
For those new to caregiving the responsibilities may seem insurmountable. However, once a family accesses the many services available they find increased support, hope and security in their new role. They discover the ability to smile again and experience some relief from the stresses of the unknown. When doing things in connection with experienced service groups caregivers and their recipients find community and new life amidst their difficulties and changing challenges.
Reprint courtesy of Senior Times, February-May 2004
Reprints:
This article is for site viewing only - not for reprinting.
Mary Z. McGrath, Ph.D., speaker, writer and caregiver, works with schools, organizations and parents who support wellness and the family’s potential. Check www.maryzmcgrath,com for more information.
E-mail: info@maryzmcgrath.com
Website: http://www.maryzmcgrath.com
Ph: 952-894-7707
Fax: 952-890-3229.
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