Caregiver Support Options

With all of your caregiving responsibilities, you may find it difficult to make time for yourself. However, there are programs and options available to help those caring for their elderly relatives. Use this information to guide you through the many options.

Adult Day Care

An adult daycare program can provide your senior with a great opportunity to experience a new environment and meet new friends while giving you a break during the day. Many volunteer organizations, local health authorities, and private and government agencies offer daycare services at different facilities. Some are free, some charge a small fee. Adult daycare options include:

• Daycare centers: These offer crafts, sing-alongs, games, organized activities, hot meals and plenty of social interaction with peers.
• Day hospitals: This is an ideal choice for ill or incapacitated elders who live at home but require specialist medical care. Day hospitals offer rehabilitation services and recreational activities.
• Lunch and social clubs: These community-sponsored programs provide camaraderie and food in a friendly atmosphere.

Support Groups

Support groups can provide an outlet to gain perspective or recharge your emotional batteries. Many communities run caregiver-support groups that offer scheduled meetings within a non-judgmental environment. These meetings allow caregivers to share their emotions, recognize resources and learn coping skills.

Various religious and disease-specific organizations, hospitals and aging programs offer support groups, as well. Support groups for family members with Alzheimer's Disease are available; visit the Alzheimer's Association website at www.alz.org.

Social-Service Agencies and State Benefits

Talk with your local social-service agency about the possibility of getting a social worker assigned to your elder. The social worker can come in, evaluate the elder's living environment, provide suggestions and refer you to resources that can help you and your elderly relative.

Respite Care

Getting a break from an elder caregiving situation can refresh your energy, renew your enthusiasm and give you a whole new perspective on your responsibilities.

Respite care offers caregivers short-term relief through the use of a substitute caregiver who either comes into the home or takes the elder to a respite-care facility. Respite, which can be arranged for several days or even a few hours, allows caregivers to run errands, socialize, rest or do what it is that they are unable to do at other times. Most respite services are provided by home health agencies, adult daycare centers and volunteer or religious organizations. Hospitals and nursing homes also offer overnight beds for elders, allowing caregivers to take time off. Many charity-run hospices provide free relief by temporarily taking in seriously ill elders.

Making time for yourself is important. By taking care of yourself, you are assuring greater quality of care for your elder. Consider the variety of support services for caregivers and take advantage of the help they can offer.

Help for the Helper

The responsibility of caring for an elder relative or friend can make you feel overwhelmed or burned out.
During these times, it is important to step back, assess your life situation and to do a little soul-searching.
You want to be the best caregiver you can be. Here are some tips:

• Balance your priorities. Are you in the best position to provide the physical and emotional support your elder needs? Consider seeking outside help from friends, relatives or support groups, or possibly hiring another caregiver.
• Be willing to make sacrifices you can live with. It is important that, once you make the caregiving decision, you do not let yourself become resentful about the missed opportunities this commitment can create.
• Put yourself in the elder's shoes. Imagine yourself at his or her age and condition. Then, treat your elder as you would wish to be treated.
• Assess your performance. Is the elder getting the right level of care? Are needs being met? Without being too hard on yourself, make the commitment to do the best that you can.
• Assess the elder's role as a care receiver. Does the elder understand the role you are providing? Do you need to talk to the elder about his or her attitude?
• Explore ways of maximizing your efficiency. Are there shortcuts you can take without diminishing the quality of care?
• Acknowledge your feelings. Emotions left unresolved can cause conflicts and interfere with your ability to provide care. If, for example, you feel you need more help from other family members, summon a family meeting and ask for it.
• Stay in touch with relatives and friends. Keep family members abreast of the elder's condition and communicate your concerns. Do not lose your link to the outside world.
• Ask for help. Can shifts be established with other siblings or loved ones? Get relatives to pitch in and relieve you occasionally. Take advantage of respite care and support services in your area.

Resources

Alzheimer's Association
Children of Aging Parents

©2023 ComPsych ® Corporation. All rights reserved. This information is for educational purposes only. It is always important to consult with the appropriate professional on financial, medical, legal, behavioral or other issues. As you read this information, it is your responsibility to make sure that the facts and ideas apply to your situation.