Caregiver Resources

Becoming a family caregiver is a role we often do not plan for. Whether sudden or gradual, a loved one’s illness or disability can find us in the vital role of providing assistance with daily tasks such as balancing checkbooks, bill paying, running errands, driving to doctors’ appointments, monitoring medications, and helping with bathing, dressing, and feeding. Round the clock supervision may become necessary. According to AARP, twenty-two percent of persons aged 45 to 55 are providing personal or financial care for older relatives—an age where we are often at the height of a career, and may still have children in the household. Because caregiving can go on for months and years, it can be emotionally, physically, and financially taxing. But there are many resources available to provide education, support, and respite. You are not alone.

• Assessing Caregiving Needs: You need to begin with a realistic idea of where you are at and where you are going. Get a full exam and diagnosis of your loved one’s mental and physical health. A comprehensive, multi-disciplinary assessment may be helpful if the patient has a number of different medical conditions, is taking multiple medications, is in mental decline, or has undiagnosed or problematic symptoms. Once you understand the personal care, household care, and safety precautions needed, you can begin to work with a specialist in care management to help you create a comprehensive care plan to provide all necessary services.
• Caregiving Assistance: Because caregiving is an exhausting job, it is important to create a network of assistance when possible. Adult day care programs provide a fun, safe, and social environment away from the home. If around-the-clock care is necessary (such as medications administered throughout the night or if the patient cannot be left alone because of advanced memory loss), consider arranging for a home care aide for the night shift to allow you a period of uninterrupted sleep. Accept your friends’ or family members’ offers of help to provide respite care, run errands, or even be a sympathetic listener when you find yourself in a rough spot. Personal aides can also be hired for full-time, periodic, or respite care. Working with a professional Geriatric Care Manager can help you arrange for and coordinate the various services and appointments, discuss financial options and government programs, and monitor your loved ones’ care and progress over time. Care Coordinators are especially beneficial if you live far from your loved one and are responsible for arranging care from a distance. Having a local set of eyes and ears can greatly reduce your stress. And always remember that maintaining your own health is as vital as maintaining the health of your loved one. Taking advantage of available support and arranging for a consistent period of rest away from caregiving can help you avoid debilitating burnout.
  
  IOA offers home care, personal care, and bill paying/fiduciary services through Older Adults Care Management (Peninsula & San Francisco) and Care Management and Fiduciary Services (San Francisco & Marin).
• Emotional Support: Do not neglect your emotional health. A support group for caregivers can offer connection with others facing similar circumstances, providing a social, emotional, and educational outlet. IOA also offers one-on-one counseling, as well as a 24/7 Friendship Line for telephone support.

Let us help you find the support you need. Please call 415.750.4111.

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