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Caregivers need not go it alone
Webster’s defines a caregiver “a person who helps in identifying or preventing or treating illness or disability” or “a person who is responsible for attending to the needs of a child or dependent adult.” That makes many of us caregivers. But the definition in the Older Americans Act, which provides Federal funding for “family caregivers,” focuses on those who are caring for someone 60 or over or an individual 60 or over who is caring for a grandchild, disabled adult, child, relative or spouse. And that’s a lot more people than you might imagine.
The “greatest generation” is living longer and creating an interesting demographic in our society. Eighty and 90 year olds have children who are elders. It is estimated that one in four households in this country have responsibilities for family caregiving.
There is a continuum of situations that family members find themselves in. On one end is the elder who is coping well with everyday activities, or living in a place where services are already provided in their home, a retirement community or assisted living facility. At the other extreme is the spouse or child who has 24 hour a day responsibility for an elder with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or another disabling condition.
This second kind of caregiving is the most intense and it is this situation that creates a second set of health issues for the caregiver who is coping with physical, mental and emotional stress as well as his or her own health issues. These are the individuals who most need respite, support groups, advice and counsel on home modification and other services which can ameliorate the burdens that full-time caregiving presents.
An increasing phenomenon is the “long distance caregiver” who is often an adult child, niece or nephew of an elder with substantial health issues. These individuals often travel long distances several times a year to coordinate services for an elder, consult with professionals and try to give the emotional support and comfort that often only family can provide. These caregivers are dealing with a remote social service network in a distant community. For that reason, “professional helpers” in either the caregiver’s home community or in the community where their loved one resides, can provide information, support and counseling on the obstacles that caregivers might encounter.
Locally, caregivers need not go it alone. In Berkshire County, Elder Services helps caregivers who are providing care intermittently or on a daily basis. Help may be answering a question, listening to an anxious caregiver, or advising on or arranging for more intensive assistance. Caregiver Liaison Bea Cowlin can be reached at 413-499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242. Caregiving info on our website can be found at www.esbci.org.