Caregiver Support, Advice for Family Caregivers

Posted by: matthew

Jenny Kim, Client Care Manager for All Valley Home Care in La Mesa, California shares caregiver support advice for family caregivers. As a senior home care services provider Jenny specializes in providing caregiver support.

Caring for a loved one with any kind of disabling condition will change the way families and their caregivers live their lives. It may have negative effects on those family members providing long-term care. Fortunately, there are many resources and options out there for family members to help alleviate stress. In California alone, there are eleven nonprofit Caregiver Resource Centers throughout the state that serve more than 14,000 families and caregivers of adults affected by chronic health conditions. First and foremost, when you are taking care of a loved one, you need to remember to take care of your own emotional and physical health.

Caregiver Support Groups

Coping and getting caregiver support comes in many different forms. This can include talking to your family, friends, or professionals, taking walks, or reading a book. Many caregivers tend to shut out friends and family and end up feeling isolated and as if no one understands what they’re going through. In this case, caregiver support groups are very important in that you’ll find others who are in similar situations. You can connect with fellow caregivers and it will give you a chance to vent and exchange ideas. When looking for caregiver support groups, remember the 3 C’s: comfort, convenience and confidentiality. You can always check out different caregiver support groups before you decide on the one that fits your personality and lifestyle. Caregiver support groups vary in size and purpose; some are geared towards specific illnesses like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, while others may be open to anyone caring for a parent or loved one, period. A good online resource you can utilize to find different types of support groups is the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging website.

Find Respite Care

No matter how fit and strong you think you are, caregiving can and will eventually take a toll on your body and mind. Respite care will provide you with a much needed break from your daily responsibilities. Respite care can mean anything from hiring a senior home care agency to take care of your loved one within the comfort of his or her home for a couple of hours to a social adult day care. There are many places you can go with your loved one where they can participate in arts and crafts or exercise classes while you attend a support group or just sit and eat lunch with other family caregivers. You may also have the option of doing some of the activities together. An excellent example of this is Circle of Care Leeza’s Place in Sherman Oaks, CA. Anyone taking care of a loved one diagnosed with a memory disorder is welcome to come and attend free programs that will provide them with insight and respite in a comfortable, intimate setting. Some activities that take place at this center are Memory Fitness, Chair Exercises, Tai Chi, Scrapbooking, and Caregiver and Parkinson’s Support groups. These types of centers can be found all over the U.S. and will provide you with both emotional and physical support.

Family caregiving is much more common than you think and there is a lot of help out there for you. There are a vast amount of online resources you can access by using a search engine like Google or Yahoo. A caregiver who takes care of herself or himself, physically & emotionally, will ultimately be a better caregiver to a loved one.

If you would like more assistance or information you can always call us at 1-866-273-2995, visit our Senior In-Home Care Agency Directory, or fill out this simple online form. Get Help Now!