Caregivers: Here’s Help

HEALTH

Caregivers: Here’s Help

The Jewish community o ers support to those caring for the sick or infi rm.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As parents and spouses age, the possibility of running into a situation where you either become a caregiver yourself or need to find a caregiver is something many people may encounter.

A caregiver is a family member or paid helper who helps take care of a sick, elderly or disabled individual. While caregiving may feel like a scary or uncertain experience, many resources are available in the local Jewish community that can help make the transition a bit easier.

CAREGIVER RESOURCES

One of the first places people can turn for caregiving assistance is Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit. “We have a whole host of services that might be helpful to people who are new to caregiving,” explains Lynn Breuer, JFS director of community outreach and wellness.

The agency provides geriatric case management services to older adults who are struggling to meet basic needs, as well as more intensive fee-based geriatric care management services through its ElderCare Solutions of Michigan division. This intensive program supports older adults and helps their families plan for caregiving while offering guidance, advocacy and emotional support.

“Sometimes a caregiver just might need one or two meetings with a geriatric social worker,” Breuer explains of one possible scenario where help may be provided. This can be an individual whose father was recently diagnosed with dementia, or an individual whose loved one became disabled after experiencing a stroke.

“We would walk people through some of the steps to take care of the elderly,” Breuer

Lynn Breuer

Legal Steps to Take to Plan for Caregiving

While health management is undoubtedly 2. Sign a financial power of attorney. one of the biggest elements of caregiv- “Another essential document for your ing, caregivers should con- loved one to sign is a financial power of sider legal steps to protect attorney,” he says. A financial power of their rights and the rights of attorney grants you the power to make cared-for loved ones. Here’s money decisions on behalf of your loved stand their FMLA rights if they need to what Mount Clemens-based one. When creating a financial power of care for a family member,” Simasko says. elder law attorney and wealth attorney and medical power of attorney, “Make sure to look into the Family and Patrick Simasko preservation specialist Patrick make sure to list more than one person Medical Leave Act so you can get extra Simasko of Simasko Law, in these documents, Simasko suggests. time off to help care for your loved one.” simaskolaw.com, recommends doing That way, if the person listed first is With many people working from home, to ensure legal safety in the caregiving unable to perform their duties for any he says it’s now easier for caregivers to process: reason, there is another person in line to attend to family needs. 1. Sign a medical power of attorney. take over. 5. Monitor for signs of elder abuse. “You absolutely need to have your loved 3. Create an estate plan. “If you need to place your loved one into one sign a medical power of attorney,” “The next thing you need to do is cre- a facility or have caregivers come into the Simasko says. A medical power of attor- ate an estate plan, which will include home, make sure you monitor the situaney allows you to make medical deci- the medical power of attorney, financial tion closely — regardless if the caregiver sions if your loved one is unable to. It’s power of attorney and revocable trust, if is a professional, neighbor or relative,” important to have this document made you want to avoid probate,” he continues. Simasko cautions. “These caregivers before a person gets sick. Because of At the same time, double-check all the have access to vulnerable individuals COVID-19 restrictions in hospitals, he ownership and beneficiary designations and may start to financially exploit them. explains, families and lawyers will not be on your loved one’s various financial Be very careful and watch for the signs.” able to enter a hospital all together, which accounts to make sure they’re going to These can include a misuse of personal makes it harder to try and get these doc- the right people. checks, credit cards or accounts, along uments signed and notarized should your 4. Understand FMLA rights. with intimidation and blaming of the indiloved ones fall sick with anything. “It’s important for caregivers to under- vidual being cared for.

Lynne Breuer leads a PATH (Personal Actions Toward Health) class.

continues. “A consultation is helpful for difficult situations like, ‘How do we help someone stop driving?’ or if someone needs to move.”

JFS coaches caregivers on how to find a community that will meet their loved one’s needs, among other topics that some may not feel equipped to handle on their own.

For those without next steps lined up for caregiving, the Geriatric Care Management program also offers assessments that help determine which path to take. “People may know their loved one is declining, but they don’t know what to do to bring some stability,” Breuer said. “If that’s the case, someone from our team can do an assessment of that person and take a look at everything from their activities of daily living to what they’re able to do without assistance.”

JFS can help make recommendations for medication management, alleviating social isolation (especially throughout the pandemic), cognitive screening and other forms of support for loved ones in need of caregiving. They also offer a doorthrough-door transportation service that helps take people to appointments, check them in and make sure they get safely to and from their locations. Kosher meal delivery services can also be arranged for individuals struggling to cook.

CAREGIVER HEALTH

Taking care of loved ones can take a significant toll on caregivers themselves. According to Caregiver.org, 40-70% of family caregivers show clinical symptoms of depression. That’s why it’s essential for caregivers to also focus on their own physical and mental health to prevent burnout or other more serious complications. “People need to take care of their own health, so they are better able to provide care for people who are counting on them,” Breuer says.

Sleep, exercise and healthy eating all play an important role in overall health, something caregivers should aim to make a priority in life. Practicing calmness is also important, whether through meditation, journaling or sim-

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ply taking time for oneself in the midst of caring for another.

Caregivers can also access JFS’ caregiving support programs, which include group health coaching classes that cover topics like how to talk to physicians, problem-solving and making tough decisions. “This can all be overwhelming when you’re providing care for someone else,” Breuer says. “These classes focus on helping people develop a rich toolbox of ways to better care for themselves.”

JFS also provides free presentations and community workshops that talk about a variety of caregiving-related concerns, like how to prevent falls or improve brain health. Additionally, caregivers can access behavioral health services that include mental health counseling at JFS.

SUPPORT SERVICES

In these virtual support groups, people can join a community of individuals also involved in caregiving to talk about struggles, successes or resources they’ve found. “People realize they’re not alone,” Banooni continues. “We want to make sure care partners are not feeling isolated.” A variety of other programs are also available through the partnership for people who might need caregiving, such as individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These include chair exercises, musical activities and other programs people can participate in, including caregivers. Not only does this benefit individuals in need, but the programs can help alleviate caregiver stress, allowing caregivers time to cook, clean or simply take a few moments to breathe Yet, JFS isn’t the only place and relax. Or, if they’d like, to people can turn. Jewish Senior take part in the workshops and Life of Metropolitan Detroit have a bit of fun with their loved also extends monthly virtual one. caregiver support groups to the Both new and existing carecommunity. “Anyone is welcome givers can reach out to Jewish to attend,” says Debi Family Service, jfsdetroit.org/ Banooni, director find-help/older-adults/ of the Dorothy and geriatric-care-management, Peter Brown Adult (248) 592-2313, or the Dorothy Day Program, a and Peter Brown Adult Day partnership of Program, jslmi.org/theDebi Jewish Senior Life dorothy-peter-brown-jewish-Banooni and JVS Human community-day-program, (248) Services. “It’s a relaxed atmo- 592-5031, for more information sphere where people are invited or guidance on how to receive to share what they would like or support. just listen.”

Julie Verriest leads a class on Zoom at the Brown Center.

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