FAMILY CAREGIVERS

There is probably no task as rewarding as caring for another person. It is very important, though, for caregivers to learn to care not only for the other person, but also for themselves.

If you are caring for someone, whether it is a parent, spouse, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or friend, you cannot do it on your own. Two important resources are workshops and support groups. Workshops teach you more about caring for someone. They often teach you specific things you need to know about the condition involved, such as Alzheimer's disease. Support groups are meetings of caregivers who can express their frustrations, trade ideas, and pass on new information.

Here are 3 national organizations that offer services to caregivers:

The Family Caregiver Alliance is a support organization for caregivers of adults with Alzheimer's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, ALS and related brain disorders. Call (415) 434 3388 or visit their website at www.caregiver.org.
The National Family Caregiver Association provides service in the areas of information and education; support and validation; public awareness and advocacy. Call (800) 896 3650 or visit their website at www.nfcacares.org.
The National Parkinson Foundation provides a caregiver's information website for caregivers of patients with Parkinson's disease. Call (800) 327-4545 or visit their website at www.parkinsonscare.com.

Many national and community associations and organizations provide information and other resources specific to a medical condition or issue. Contact your local branch to find out what is available.

Remember that you and the person you are caring for will need a break from each other occasionally. You may want to get away for a few hours by using a home health aide, a sitter, or an in-home respite service. For a longer break, consider senior day care centers or overnight stays in a skilled nursing facility.

One of the main tasks in caring for another person is to try to minimize stress. This means getting as much help as possible to avoid getting "burned out." Do not be afraid to ask for help. Your local Area Agency on Aging may be able to provide resources to help you and your family.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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