Caregivers of the Elderly

As the average individual life span continues to increase, the number of persons who will become caregivers of an older parent or relative also increases. Adult children must deal with the demands of their careers, responsibility for the needs of their own children and those of their aging or ailing parents. Involvement in care of elderly parents may start with widowhood and/or illness and includes helping with financial affairs, home care, transportation and other health and welfare issues. Many programs and services are available. The Senior HELP-LINE has professional staff able to provide appropriate information, referral and individualized assistance. Contact:

NASSAU COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR CITIZEN AFFAIRS 227-8900

CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

To meet the needs of informal caregivers who provide care to the frail elderly, the Department has established a Caregiver Resource Center.

This Center conducts information and education activities relevant to caregiving. and has a library of resource materials available. Staff distributes Department publications, including Caregivers Practical Help, a compendium of helpful hints on caring for a frail person at home. Publications for a listing of other Department resources, many of which are of interest to caregivers.

Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs
60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard
Uniondale, N.Y. 11553 227-8900

SUPPORT GROUPS

Support groups bring together people who are coping with similar issues and concerns. Usually, there is a facilitator/organizer who coordinates the meetings and helps the group focus on important issues. The Department of Senior Citizen Affairs coordinates monthly support groups for caregivers of the frail elderly in Long Beach and Elmont. For dates, times and locations, call: 227-8900

The Department of Senior Citizen Affairs coordinates monthly support groups for caregivers of the frail elderly in Long Beach and Elmont. For dates, times and locations, call: 227-8900

There are many other support groups meeting throughout Nassau County. They are sponsored by: adult day care programs, churches, synagogues, disease-focused organizations, hospitals, libraries, school district adult education programs, senior centers, “Y’s,” and community social service agencies. Check with local groups, or call:

NASSAU COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR CITIZEN AFFAIRS -- 227-8900

DOROT

DOROT coordinates support groups through its University Without Walls Program.

This national network of well spouses (husbands or wives of chronically ill persons) offers emotional support and advocates for programs that help families deal with chronic illness. For information on a Well Spouse group in Nassau County, call: 1-800-838-0879

www.wellspouse.org

Regional self-help clearinghouses compile information about local self-help chapters and organizations and publish directories that specify time and location of meetings. The Long Island Self-Help Clearinghouse provides telephone referrals to Long Island residents free of charge. In addition, this clearinghouse has published People-Helping-People: A Directory of Mutual Support Resources which is available in libraries.

Long Island Self-Help Clearinghouse
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine New York Institute of Technology
P.O. Box 8000
Old Westbury, N.Y. 11568	626-1721

Respite services provide an opportunity for caregivers to have some time away from their caregiving responsibilities. Trained and supervised companions watch the patient for a specified period of time so the caregiver can leave and feel secure that their loved one is safe. Programs are available to provide short-term respite services in the home. Call for information.

EAC, Inc. Senior Respite Program
50 Clinton Street, Suite 202
Hempstead, N.Y. 11550	539-0150 ext.217

This program provides time off for Nassau County caregivers. Carefully selected and trained companions, supervised by professional social workers and nurses, offer in-home supervision for older adults with chronic illness and/ or dementia. There is a sliding scale fee.