Finding Trusted Support for Caregivers

There are over 50 million informal caregivers in the United States who provide care for someone 20 years or older who is ill or disabled.   According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, a caregiver is generally defined as “anyone who provides assistance to someone else who is, in some degree, incapacitated and needs help.  While the definition of a caregiver is simple, its meaning is broad and can affect every facet of the caregiver’s life. 

Levels of caring depend on the need of the care recipient, and can be as simple as running occasional errands or as complex as assisting the loved one in eating, bathing and other personal acts of daily living.  The complexities of being a caregiver may also include dealing with attorneys and estate planning, perhaps actually planning the last phases of someone’s final years – to speaking with doctors and other health care providers to be fully informed and able to assist in making decisions regarding the care of a loved one. 

Many caregivers have their own households, families, and jobs and balancing these responsibilities is stressful.  Caregivers often become depressed and isolated, which can lead to their own poor health and inability to care for others.  Caregiving can become a daunting task, but the good news is there are many local and national resources available to guide caregivers through virtually every aspect they might encounter, including care and support for themselves. 

Finding trustworthy sources may seem hard, but a great place to start is at a local level, with agencies such as Health and Human Service Departments, Area Agencies on Aging, Public Health, and Mental Health Departments, and medical boards affiliated with area hospitals.  Doctors and faith-based agencies have knowledge of reputable organizations such as support groups or psychologists and other counseling services.  It is also a good idea to contact the local chapter of a disease group that pertains to the care recipient (such as Alzheimer's Association or Parkinson's Foundation), and reach out to home health and respite care companies like Comfort Keepers^® for advice and assistance.

The internet provides a plethora of information, and for that reason may be more difficult to navigate.  That is why Comfort Keepers provides educational tools and resources for caregivers from trusted, reliable sources.  The resources you can find on the family resource page of www.comfortkeepers.com include web addresses of other industry specialists that provide current articles, newsletters, specialized resources, and abundant information related to all topics of caregiving.

Caregiving can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging endeavors you may ever encounter.  As a caregiver, it is important to realize  you are not alone.  If you are a full-time caregiver, seeking respite care is important. Whether you seek help from other family members or a company like Comfort Keepers, allowing yourself time away from your duties – time for you – will only help you become a better care provider.  With a little research, you can find trusted help and resources to make your job easier and worthwhile.  Take advantage of assistance in your area and give yourself not only the knowledge, but also the power to provide the best quality care for your loved one and also for yourself. 

Resources:
^{Family Caregiver Alliance – National Center on Caregiving.  Selected Caregiver Statistics.  Accessed 10/8/10 at http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=439.   
National Family Caregivers Association; September 2010.
Comfort Keepers®.  Support for Family Caregivers, retrieved on 10/13/10 at http://www.comfortkeepers.com/family-education-center/supporting-family-caregivers}