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-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information Elder Services Presents: Monthly workshops and programs for caregivers
Elder Services has begun a series of caregiver workshops, the second of which “Caregiver 101 – The How, When and Where of Respite” will take place Wednesday, March 7 from 3 to 4 p.m. These workshops, facilitated by Elder Services Caregiver Coordinator Bea Cowlin, will help caregivers gain a new perspective about caregiving including the awareness that they, as caregivers, are not alone. The Family Caregiver Alliance notes that there are 34 million adults who provide care to other adults age 50 plus. Just under 9 million of this group care for adults age 50 plus with a dementia.
Caregiving is one of the most important and challenging jobs anyone can undertake. Caregiving can be emotionally, physically, and financially draining, leading to feelings of sadness, anger, fear of the unknown, and the sensation of being torn — pulled in many directions. Physically, caregivers experience fatigue, illness and worry. Financially, many caregivers need help to pay for medications, medical insurance, special diet products, and incontinence products.
During a discussion about self care, Cowlin noted, “It is equally as important to take care of yourself as it is your loved one.” She suggested that caregivers consider their own needs as well as the needs of their loved ones, accept help, realize their limits, expect setbacks and changes, keep a sense of humor, and equally important, eat healthy, exercise, rest, and see a doctor regularly. Self-care is key in avoiding caregiver burnout.
Cowlin also recommended that caregivers keep the doors of communication open with their loved ones including discussing the disease process, what changes will occur during that process, and how those changes will affect everyone involved. A series of conversations may be needed to ensure that caregivers and loved ones learn about the diagnosis (symptoms, medications, appropriate activity, amount of care and supervision) including risks and consequences. Sometimes loved ones may be resistant to these types of conversations; however, Cowlin stressed the importance of helping loved ones understand that making a tentative plan helps to honor their wishes while at the same alleviating the possibility of a crisis in the future.
Elder Services’ Family Caregiver Support Program provides services to all caregivers, regardless of age, who are caring for someone over age 60. Caregivers looking after someone with a diagnosis of dementia can be served regardless of the loved one’s age. Elder Services Gallagher Alzheimer’s Resource Center and caregiver programs and services provide information on caregiving and dementias. In addition to those at Elder Services, there are caregiver support groups throughout Berkshire County as well as other services and programs available for caregivers and their loved ones.
Beginning in March and running monthly through August, there will be six two-hour stand-alone educational training sessions for family caregivers and others seeking information about Alzheimer’s disease. All of these workshops will take place at Elder Services, 66 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield..
For information about Elder Services Family Caregiver Support Program, contact Bea Cowlin, LSW at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242, or email her at caregiver@esbci.org. For information on services for loved ones, contact the Information & Referral Department at the same numbers.