Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs

The caregiver of a frail older person may be a spouse, an adult child, a sibling or other close relative or friend. He or she may live in the same household or many miles away. A caregiver’s responsibility for the frail person may entail twenty-four hours, seven days a week assistance, or may be on a much more limited basis.

Some caregivers provide hands-on assistance with the most intimate aspects of care; others assist with transportation, daily chores, meals, etc. Many provide financial support and help to organize the recruitment of people who can provide assistance.

Caregivers provide the physical and emotional support that enables their loved ones to remain in the community for as long as possible.

The number of caregivers in New York State who provide assistance to a loved one is estimated to be more than 1.7 million individuals. These caregivers provide the majority of care for the frail elderly living in the community who require some assistance with routine tasks of daily living. Nearly 80% of caregivers are women. They dedicate an average of 20 hours each week to their caregiving responsibilities, and even more time when the person has multiple disabilities. Almost one-third of all caregivers are also employed and must balance work and caregiving responsibilities. Although only one in four of all caregivers is over the age of 66, this is the group of caregivers that is providing the most intensive care to a loved one.

RECOGNIZING CAREGIVER STRESS

Caregiving for a loved one can provide personal satisfaction, but it can also be stressful. Stress can be caused by a number of factors. There may be poor communication with the care receiver, leading to misinformation or no information about the loved one’s needs or feelings. There may be growing feelings of concern and despair at witnessing the deteriorating health and increasing dependence of a loved one. Those caregivers who are also juggling the responsibilities of a family or job, may feel their caregiving duties have placed too many demands on their limited time.

HOW TO DEAL WITH STRESS

Improve Communication

Learn how to ask for information on your loved one’s needs and recognize the importance of communicating your own needs and feelings. Talk out daily problems as much as possible and do not let frustrations build.

Identify other family members, friends or agencies who can provide assistance to the care receiver and ask for their help. Ask someone to assume a responsibility that will give you more time to devote to other efforts.

Take Care of Yourself

Try to eat well, get enough sleep and see a doctor when your health needs change.

Make Time for Yourself

Try to take some time away from your responsibilities as often as possible to care for your own needs.

Plan for the Future

It helps to identify programs or services that can be tapped at a later date when the care receiver’s needs may change. Although it is wise to take one day at a time, it is best to be prepared in the event an emergency arises and decisions must be made in a very short period of time.

This book contains information on resources and options for care in the event an older person becomes frail or disabled. It is designed to assist those who may want to plan for future needs and caregivers who may need help to meet a loved one’s current needs. Call the Senior HELP-LINE at 227-8900 to speak with a trained staff member who will be pleased to offer all possible assistance.

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. Professional HELPLINE staff is able to provide appropriate information, referral, and individualized assistance. Contact:

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 and other materials that provide helpful hints on caring for a frail person at home. Click Here for a listing of Department resources, many of which are of interest to caregivers.

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

GRANDPARENTS AS CAREGIVERS

Many grandparents find themselves as primary or secondary caregivers to their grandchildren, often due to sudden or unplanned changes in the lives of their adult children. They need help to ease the stress of caring for young children when energy and financial resources may be quite limited. Grandparent caregivers often face legal issues such as custody, adoption, guardianship and foster care. They struggle with financial, educational and health concerns. The following resources may be helpful.

SUPPORT GROUPS

The Department of Senior Citizen Affairs has initiated a monthly support group for grandparents who love and are concerned about the welfare of their grandchildren. The group discusses issues of interest, develops coping skills and provides support to each other. Call for information:
(516) 227-8945

AARP has a web page with resource information for grandparents, including visitation rights, tips for raising grandchildren, an online support group and resource materials. www.aarp.org/families/grandparents

GENERATIONS UNITED

This organization promotes intergenerational strategies, programs and public policies. It has information and links to other resources.

GRANDPARENT AGAIN

This group provides information about services, support groups, legal assistance, etc.

www.grandparentagain.com

This organization provides an online place where grandparents can seek support and comfort.

SELF-HELP AND SUPPORT GROUPS

Self-help and support groups are clusters of people who share a common condition or problem, and who come together to offer one another the benefit of their experience and mutual support. Self-help groups have arisen to respond to almost every imaginable need and they continue to grow in number and influence throughout our country. There are groups for caregivers; people who have arthritis, diabetes, or other illnesses; families of cancer patients; the widowed; and children of aging parents. The groups are usually begun by patients themselves or their families. Often there is a facilitator/organizer who coordinates the meetings and helps the group focus on important issues. Most groups hold regular meetings, which include group discussions in which members share experiences and offer support to one another. Often a professional in the field of health care is invited to be a guest speaker. Some groups publish newsletters which serve to educate their members. Most are nonprofit, some have nominal dues.

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: (516) 227-8900

The Department also funds supportive senior center activities for caregivers, at the following centers:

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:

DOROT coordinates support groups through its University Without Walls Program.

WELL SPOUSE FOUNDATION

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:

RESPITE SERVICES

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.

Adult day service programs offer respite for the caregiver in addition to providing stimulating activities for the frail older person. Click Here (NOTE: Link to Medical, Nursing, Home Care, and Long Term Care Services: Adult Day Services)

Programs are also available to provide short-term respite services in the home. Call for information.

The Senior Respite Program offers in-home supervision for older adults with chronic disease or dementia. There is a sliding scale fee.

Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation

The Alzheimer’s Companion Program offers short term respite care every other week to families of persons suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias in this program funded by the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs. There is a suggested contribution for this service.

Professional Health Trends

This network of licensed home care agencies operates the Respite Program with funding provided by the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs. Short-term, in-home respite is available for caregivers of the frail elderly and for grandparents age 60 and over who are the primary caregivers for grandchildren. Personal care is available if required. There is a suggested contribution for the service.

CAREGIVERS

WHO IS A CAREGIVER?

RECOGNIZING CAREGIVER STRESS

CAREGIVERS OF THE ELDERLY

GRANDPARENTS AS CAREGIVERS

SUPPORT GROUPS

SELF-HELP AND SUPPORT GROUPS

RESPITE SERVICES