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Care Giving Tips |
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Care Giver Bill Of Rights |
1.
To take care of myself. This is not an act of
selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking
better care of my loved one.
2. To seek help from
others even though my loved ones object. I recognize
the limits of my own endurance and strength.
3. To maintain facets
of my own life that do not include the person I care for,
just as I would if he or she were health. I know that
I do everything that I reasonably can for this person, and I
have the right to do some things just for myself.
4. To get angry,
depressed, and express other difficult feelings
occasionally.
5. T reject any
attempts by my loved one (either conscious or unconscious)
to manipulate me through guild, and/or depression.
6.
To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and
acceptance for what I do, from my loved ones for a along as
I offer these qualities in return.
7. To take pride in
what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has
sometimes taken to meet the needs of my loved ones.
8. T protect my
individuality and my right to make a life for myself that
will sustain me in the time when my loved one no longer
needs my full-time help.
9. To expect and
demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to
aid physically and mentally impaired persons in our country,
similar strides will be made towards aiding and supporting
caregivers.
More information may be
found by going to
www.caregiver.com.
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| A Look at
Care Giving |
Each day in the United States, more than five million older individuals receive some kind of assistance
from family members, friends, and neighbors that allows them to live in their own homes outside of
the nation's formal system of care, which includes nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Often these "informal" caregivers are the lifelines that their older relatives and friends rely on,
not only for daily care, but to bring them critical information about the community services and
national program available to assist them.
Research indicates that the bulk of long-term care in the United States is provided by informal caregivers.
In fact, only one in five persons needing long-term care lives in a nursing home. The remainder live in
their own communities, thanks to the support of informal caregivers who routinely assist with a range of activities.
These care giving activities usually fall into one of four categories - emotional support, direct service
provision, linkage with the formal service sector and financial assistance. Studies have shown that adult
children now provide more emotional support to their older parents than ever before and that most caregivers
are involved in providing direct services to those they care for as well. these direct services range from
what are called instrumental activities of daily living, shopping, and housecleaning, which include bathing,
dressing, eating and moving about.
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| Caregiver Support Groups |
The Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County works together with Community Nursing Service and
Windber Home Health to have two support groups available for those who are caring for a family member,
friend or neighbor.
The goal of the groups is to enhance the quality of life for the caregiver as well as to reduce stress
and improve coping skills.
These support groups offer the opportunity to discuss the difficulties and rewards of providing care
and also act as a resource for obtaining needed services. Speakers do present educational offerings
at some meetings, but most meetings are for the support derived from others in similar situations.
Call 814-443-2681 or 1-800-452-0825 for further information or contact
Laurel Tinsmith by email at
ltinsmith@somersetaaa.org
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