Caregiving information
Helpful Resources
Although more than 25% of American families are involved in some way with elder/parent care, your caregiving experience is unique. Adult day care provides a break for you and socialization for your loved one. Getting respite early and often is the key to healthy caregiving.
Caregiving can be a life-changing event that is very stressful, especially when it involves a person with dementia or incontinence. Sound mind understands the challenges and frustrations of caregiving; just as we develop individual care plans for your loved one, we strive to help you with your individual needs.
According to the Pew Research Center, just over 1 of every 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 is both raising a child and caring for a parent, in addition to between 7 to 10 million adults caring for their aging parents from a long distance.
US Census Bureau statistics indicate that the number of older Americans aged 65 or older will double by the year 2030, to over 70 million, with a corresponding increase in the number of caregivers.
New caregiver resources:
Employer Resource Guide
Best Practices in the Workplace for Eldercare
Research shows that caregivers who use respite services at least two days per week can reduce the anxiety, anger, depression, and decline in physical health that often results from the stress of caregiving.
It has been recently proven that caregiver stress is significantly reduced when adult day services are part of the care plan. Dr. Stephen Zarit of Penn State found significant reduction of the hormone cortisol (which is released in response to stress) in caregivers whose loved ones attended adult day care.
Caregivers must create balance between caring for others and caring for themselves. Easy to say but extremely difficult to achieve given constantly increasing demands on time and resources.
Apprehension is understandable. How will we balance our own families, careers, and retirement dreams with the demands of caregiving? How will it interrupt our lives or defer our dreams? How will the emotional toll affect our families and ourselves? Will we have the emotional strength to provide care if a parent is debilitated for a long time?
Sound Mind empower caregivers to live a healthier, more balanced lifestyle by providing the following support:
- Respite to give the family caregiver an option to work or rest (Monday through Saturday.)
- Reliable care so the caregiver can work without interruption or worry.
- Monthly support groups facilitated by our social worker (last Thursday of each month at 4:30 PM).
- Monthly Caregiver Update newsletter
- Training and education on a variety of topics designed to “care for the caregiver.”
- Quarterly reports regarding the participant’s routine and activities.
- Daily access to professional staff to address any questions or concerns (i.e. problem-solve current and long-term care needs).
- Assistance with developing a home program to improve performance and make daily tasks easier for your family member.
- Referrals to other agencies and providers.
- Regular, informal contact with other caregivers for mutual support and information sharing.
- Coordination of care with other service providers including physicians rehabilitation, and transportation.