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Arrange a Visit

Come Check out the Supportive Day Program to see the program in action and take advantage of the free trial day. The trial day is everything as many family members don’t think that their participants will enjoy and benefit from the program. However, 99% of the time it’s a perfect fit! The family have everything to gain from having their loved one in the Supportive Day Program. The program gives the participant purpose, socialization, laughs, friendship and a full and active purposeful day. The program is non-medical and the staff will work with participants and their families to coordinate an individualized care plan specific to each participant’s needs.

Reach Out to Janie at the Supportive Day Program

To find out more about the Supportive Day Program and to arrange a trial day, please contact Janie Bates at 413-499-9346 ext. 212. When you look after someone who’s sick or disabled, it’s a 24-hour job. You need a break from time to time to look after your own needs. That’s where the Supportive Day Program and the ESBCI’s Caregiver Support Program can help.

HEALTH

Caregiver Program Provides Support

This past November was National Caregiver Month. Elder Services of Berkshire County is dedicated to recognizing and supporting the caregivers of Berkshire County in many ways – one of the most impactful ways our agency works with caregivers is through the Massachusetts Family Caregiver Support Program. This program is free for any eligible caregiver to join. Eligible caregivers are described as: someone providing care to a loved one who is 60 years of age or older, a parent providing care to a child with developmental disabilities, a grandparent raising a grandchild, or an individual providing care to a loved one younger than 60 with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s/Dementia. The Massachusetts Family Caregiver Support Program consists of oneon-one meetings with a Caregiver Coordinator and Support Groups. Our Caregiver Coordinators are compassionate listeners who provide emotional support and resources to the caregivers who join the program. One-on-one meetings with the Caregiver Coordinator can be conducted via phone or in-person, the choice is up to the caregiver. The frequency of meeting is also up to the caregiver – meetings can occur weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or even further out if needed. Caregivers always reserve the right to postpone meetings, or call in to the office for support on a particularly tough day. The program is designed to provide a sympathetic ear for those who need it, when they need it. In addition to supportive listening, Caregiver Coordinators can field resource questions from caregivers, and point them towards unique supports that caregivers may not know about due to their busy schedules.

This program can truly make the difference in reducing caregiver stress, which allows caregivers to keep their loved ones at home longer. It is wellknown that caregivers sacrifice their own health to provide assistance to the people they love, which can often lead to burnout and physical and emotional health problems. Burning the candle at both ends can cause a situation wherein a caregiver is too burned out to be able to continue to give care to their loved ones, which means that they cannot achieve their goal of keeping their loved ones at home for as long as possible.

The Massachusetts Family Caregiver Support Program is one phone call away. Our Information and Referral Specialists are able to take referrals to it live Monday through Friday, 8AM-5PM. Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , December 2022 - January 2023

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