I N F O R M AT I O N
SELF-CARE You have heard it before: “Put your oxygen mask on first.” Caregivers absolutely must care for themselves before they care for their loved one or or they will find themselves with nothing to give. Use this short list for some quick tips:
Help for the Caregiving Journey
Exercise. Eat healthy meals. Stay hydrated. Get proper rest. Identify & rely on a support system. Make time to relax.
Imagine what a job description might look like for a family caregiver: Untrained family member or friend to act as advocate, researcher, care manager and emotional support for a parent, spouse, sibling or friend, who has been diagnosed with a serious illness or chronic disability. Hospital/Rehab Duties: Make medical decisions, negotiate with insurance companies or Medicare, pay bills, legal work, personal care and entertainment in hospital and rehab. Home Care Duties: Substitute for skilled nurse if injections, IV, oxygen, wound care or tube feedings are required. Long-term care duties: Medication management, showering, toileting, lifting, transporting, meal prep, house cleaning, laundry, etc. Hours: on demand. Salary & benefits: 0 I doubt many of you would have applied for this job five (5) years ago, yet more and more individuals are finding themselves in the caregiver role.
The Journey Begins You may have begun your caregiving journey by simply assisting someone you love with transportation, grocery shopping, or meals. Over time, the caregiving activities can become all-consuming with medication management, personal care, and financial management. You may have been thrust into the role suddenly when your family member had a fall, a stroke, or a diagnosis of a debilitating illness. Your life and your loved one’s life were changed forever on the day a doctor said: “Your parent/spouse needs full-time care.”
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Finding Resources At the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging & Disabilities, we know that caregivers may be juggling family and work responsibilities along with their caregiving duties. We know that they step up to the job to the best of their ability. We are pleased to be here to assist caregivers in locating resources to help them in their endeavors. Information and Assistance personnel are the first step in providing answers and in directing caregivers to department and community resources. The Department also houses the National Family Caregiver Support Program, a federally funded program which provides educational workshops, caregiver conferences, support groups, and grants for respite care and supplemental services to family caregivers. In addition, the Respite Care Referral Program screens and trains home care workers and maintains a referral registry of workers who can provide in-home care. This program assists caregivers in maintaining their work schedule or allows them to just take a break. If you would like assistance or information regarding your role as a caregiver, or would just like to receive updates on workshops and conferences, call (410) 222-4464 or e-mail caregiver_support@aacounty.org. You can also check out our website www.aacounty. org/aging and like us on Facebook (facebook.com/ ArundelSeniors) to receive news as it happens!
Schedule annual check-ups with your physician, dentist, & optometrist. See your doctor if you are feeling physically ill or depressed. Know your enemy – find information about the specific disease/ condition your loved one has. Join our many workshops and conferences for information on a variety of caregiving issues. Plan ahead for medical, legal & financial issues. If employed, contact your employer about employee assistance programs. Ask for help. Accept help.
www.aacounty.org/aging
