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The Family Caregiver Support Program Helping Caregivers Find the Support They NeedFrequently Asked Questions from Caregivers: I stop after work a few times each week to check on my Dad, but I don’t see myself as a “caregiver”. Am I considered a caregiver? Yes, the degree of caregiver responsibility varies. Caregiving sometimes evolves over a period of time, while others begin their caregiving responsibility after a crisis occurs. However, many caregivers do not identify themselves as “caregivers”, and are unable to identify their own needs and ask for help. More than 25% of our country’s population takes on the role of providing care for a family member or friend. I live out of state and take care of my parents’ finances. I rely on their neighbor to call me if my parents need something. Is caregiver help available to me? Yes, help is available whether you live in Massachusetts or another state. Caregiver responsibility differs and is as unique as the “parent, partner, son, or friend” receiving care and the individual giving care. Personalized assistance can be provided by phone, email or written correspondence by WestMass ElderCare’s Intake and Referral Department (413) 538-9020 or WestMass ElderCare’s Caregiver Liaison / Eldercare Advisor. I need help with my husband’s care. How do I convince him to accept outside services? Your husband’s reluctance in accepting help may be based on his fear of losing control of his own care. Discuss with your husband what you can and cannot do for him. Seniors reluctant to accept services will often decide to try one service and later increase the amount of service as their care requirements increase. I have been caring for my mom at home. Last month she moved into a Nursing Home. Am I still a caregiver? Yes, your role is equally important but now has a different focus. You need to help your mom during the Care Planning process so that the nursing home staff gets to know her as she really is. They need to know how she has lived her life, what her likes and dislikes are, her hobbies and idiosyncrasies, as well as her care needs. Your support of the staff as they care for your mother is important. It helps to visit your mom and focus on the enjoyable aspects of her “new home”. The Ombudsman Program at WestMass ElderCare, Inc. can help with this adjustment process and can also provide assistance in resolving possible problems in the future. I don’t know where to start; it’s all so overwhelming! Yes, while caring for a loved one can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do, it can also be one of the most stressful undertakings. Many people do not know “where or how” to ask for help. A Caregiver Liaison is able to meet with you and your family to offer guidance in navigating the myriad of services and programs available to you. If you’d like to schedule a home visit, please call our Information and Referral Department and ask for the Family Caregiver Support Program at (413) 538-9020 or email us at: info@wmeldercare.org Caregiver ResourcesThe Family Caregiver Support Program is available to: · Caregivers of elders aged 60 and older (or of persons with Alzheimer’s Disease of any age · Grandparents and relative caregivers aged 60 and older, whom serve as the sole caregiver of children 18 years of age and younger · Aging caregivers of individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. WestMass Elder Care provides caregivers and their loved ones: Service and information about all resources available to you. Understanding of your unique caregiving responsibility Personalized advice and assistance in arranging services Partnership with community agencies and resources One to one assistance, with no cost in-home or phone assessments Respite care, emergency response services Training, education, counseling and support groups
Related Caregiver Websites & LinksListed below are some online resources for caregivers, their families and elder care professionals. www.800AGEINFO.com Complete information about eldercare and caregiver services in Massachusetts. www.aarp.org AARP is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of persons 50 and older. Through information and education, advocacy and service, AARP seeks to enhance the quality of life for all by promoting independence, dignity and purpose. AARP also provides a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our members. These benefits include AARP Web site at www.aarp.org, "AARP The Magazine," the monthly "AARP Bulletin," and a Spanish-language newspaper, "Segunda Juventud." www.familycareamerica.com FamilyCare America, named a leading site for caregivers by Kiplinger's, provides resources to assess, plan, manage, and monitor most care situations, from chronic illness to aging. www.nfcacares.org National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) focuses on family caregivers. NFCA is a grass roots organization created to educate, support, empower and speak up for the millions of Americans who care for chronically ill, aged or disabled loved ones. www.alz.org Alzheimer’s Association provides general information about Alzheimer’s disease and caregiving responsibilities and refers callers to their local chapter where they can go and find out about local resources. www.redcross.org American Red Cross course offering include first aid, CPR, automated external defibrillation (AED), lifeguarding, water safety and HIV/AIDS prevention education. Caregiving training topics include caring for the caregiver, assisting with personal care, healthy eating, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, caring for a loved one with HIV/AIDS, home safety, positioning and helping your loved one move, general caregiving skills and legal and financial issues. www.helpingcaregivers.com is an online resource guide designed to assist family caregivers in gaining information and insights during the Journey of Caregiving. www.respitelocator.org The National Respite Locator Service helps parents, caregivers, and professionals find respite services in their state and local area. The service is also useful when a family travels or must move to another state. www.caregiversmarketplace.com provides shopping rebates and discounts as well as education and resources. www.caregiver.com Today’s Caregiver, a magazine written for, by, and about caregivers.
Caregiver Support Groups & TrainingThere are many types of support groups; some are organized by disease and specific conditions, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, the Spinal Cord Injury Network, Parkinson’s Disease, etc. Some caregiver support groups focus on the family caregiver and personal relationships, while others develop to provide advocacy and funding for research. Online groups can also be a source of support and education for homebound caregivers and provide national and worldwide access to resources.
Support groups can be a reliable source for caregivers to learn about resources and coping skills. They can provide a caring and confidential atmosphere for caregivers to share their individual caregiving experience.
Please call our Information and Referral Department at 413-538-9020 to request a listing of local support groups to be mailed to you or email us at info@wmeldercare.org and include “Support Groups” in the subject line of your email.
If you know of a new support group in your community and would like it to appear in our listing or would like to provide updated information for an existing group, please contact us by phone or email.
Funding for this program is provided in part by the Administration on Aging under Title III-E of the Older Americans Act through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
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