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From the Director
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Walk a Mile in My Shoes
What is SHINE?
Caregiver’s Corner:
Something special for caregivers
By Bea Cowlin, Caregiver Liaison
Beginning in this issue, Berkshire Senior launches a monthly caregiver information page where I will address a particular caregiver or care receiver need. I will update all services available through The Family Caregiver Support subgrants as they are developed. I also hope to print statements, short poems, etc. that might provide encouragement and validation for caregivers. In addition, I invite all caregivers to send their caregiver stories, questions, comments, or suggestions. We want to hear from you! Please send this information to my attention, Bea Cowlin, Elder Services, 66 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201, or you can email me at caregiver@esbci.org. Elder Services is developing a new program for caregivers called,The Family Caregiver Support Program. Caregivers are very special people who have shared with me that while caregiving can be difficult, it provides its own set of rewards. Caregiving can be a challenge, as caregiver responsibilities are added to one’s normal every day routine, which by itself can be hectic and stressful. Caregiving can be rewarding, because it may prevent one’s loved one from entering a nursing home, or provide an opportunity to express one’s love, or may simply provide a better quality of life for the one needing care.
There are currently 54 million caregivers in the United States, or one in four families are involved in some type of caregiving. Many caregivers are employed full or part time. Some are retired. Those who do work may find themselves taking time off during the work day, arriving late, or going home early to address some emergent need. Some caregivers must reduce their work hours, or leave their jobs altogether. Some may pass up promotions. It is difficult to balance the time required for caregiving with job, home, and family responsibilities. Most caregivers experience frustration, excessive worry, feel depressed, and are prone to stress related illnesses. As part of the Older Americans Act, Federal money has been appropriated for services for family caregivers. With these dollars, Elder Services hopes to develop new models of caregiver support. At this time, Elder Services has distributed subgrant funding to the following programs:
American Red Cross provides Family Caregiver training programs throughout Berkshire County.
Alzheimer’s Association, in conjunction with the Berkshire Area Alzheimer’s Partnership, provides Alzheimer’s education and support services for family caregivers through Caregiver Education Programs at various locations in Berkshire County.
Elder Services’ Caregiver Fund assists Berkshire County caregivers with a variety of caregiving expenses that may relieve some of the stress of caregiving. Uses of the fund may include, but are not limited to: paid companionship, adaptive equipment, short term respite stays, or special consultation services.
Pittsfield Council on Aging (COA) offers three free days attendance at the Social Day Care program.
Two support groups for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren have been established, one in North Adams and one in Great Barrington, in addition to one already established at the Pittsfield COA.
In North County, Parker O’Brien and Associates are providing In-Home Memory Assessments, education and in home support.
The Elder Services caregiver program hopes to serve elders caring for a spouse, elders caring for an adult child with a developmental disability or mental illness, young adults caring for a parent or other elderly relative, and grandparents raising grandchildren. As I do outreach throughout Berkshire County, I am learning about caregiver needs. I have found that the greatest need so far is respite, and not just respite during the day, but evening, weekend and overnight. I also discovered that caregivers need to express and discuss their feelings about many caregiver issues, ranging from balancing their own family and job responsibilities with their caregiving responsibilities, to assistance with the difficult process of placing their loved one in the nursing home, and coming to accept that decision.