November is Family Caregivers Month. It’s a time to thank, support, educate and empower family caregivers. Day in and day out, 90 million family caregivers in this country fulfill a vital role on the care team. Two out of every five adults are family caregivers. Thirty-nine percent of all adult Americans are caring for a loved one who is sick or disabled – up from 30 percent in 2010.
Who are caregivers? Caregivers are daughters, wives, husbands, sons, grandchildren, partners and friends. They provide help with meals, chores, paying bills, safety measures, transportation, medication reminders, personal care or daily contact. They may do it full-time, part-time, or long distance. Sometimes they do it for a short time, sometimes for years.
No one else is in a better position to ensure continuity of care. Family caregivers are the most familiar with their care recipients’ medicine regimen; they are the most knowledgeable about the treatment regimen; and they understand best the dietary and exercise regimen.
Caregiving is very rewarding and it can be very stressful. That stress can take a toll on a caregiver’s work, health and well-being. Fortunately, there are several programs locally that offer resources to caregivers. Care Partners, in addition to supporting those with serious illness, focuses on support for caregivers.
Care Partners’ Jeannette Lindgren is a trained caregiver consultant who has coached many caregivers to understand the challenges they face and develop a plan to care for themselves. She helps caregivers connect with other local resources such as volunteers, the county’s in-home support housekeeping, the hospital’s home health nurses, Peace of Mind’s home monitoring systems or life alert systems.
Care Partners has also organized a peer-led support group for caregivers. It meets every third Tuesday of the month from 12 – 1:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room of the Congregational Church. The support group is led by Vicki Biggs-Anderson and Roberta Sorenson. Call Vicki at (218) 387-1913 for more information. It’s a great opportunity to share, learn from other caregivers, and realize you are not alone. Care Partners can even arrange volunteers to stay with a caregiver’s loved one so they can attend.
Caregiver’s Month is the perfect time for Care Partners to announce it has received $82,244 over the next two years to fund increased support for caregivers through a MN Department of Human Services Community Service/Community Services Development Grant. The money will allow Care Partners to start a group respite program this winter at the Senior Center one to two times a month.
Caregivers will be able to safely leave a loved one for four hours to be supervised by trained volunteers. Group respite gives caregivers a longer break and creates an engaging opportunity for their loved ones and volunteers. The funding also allows Care Partners to enhance its respite volunteer program and offer classes such as Powerful Tools for Caregivers.
“Helping people stay in their homes and communities as they age is a major focus for the department,” said Human Service commissioner Lucinda Jesson, about the grant to Cook County Care Partners, “Partnering with community health care organizations allows us to do an even better job service Minnesotans who need assistance.”
For more information on any of these programs contact Kay Grindland, Care Partners Director at (218) 387-3788 or email carepartners@boreal.org.
In addition to grant funding, Care Partners relies on community support to support its programs. Coming up in December, there are two opportunities to support Care Partners. Mark your calendar for these meaningful events.
Light Up a Life
The 5th Annual “Light up a Life” Event offers community members the opportunity to celebrate the life of a loved one during the holiday season. Each donation lights one bulb in memory of one person on the memory tree. Donation forms are available at area churches, businesses and on the web at www.northshorehealthcarefoundation.org/carepartners. Donation forms are also available on page A4.
A Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at the main clinic/hospital entrance on Thursday, December 5 at 6 p.m. Father Seamus Walsh will assist with a short ceremony of reflection and connection. Music will also be provided. Refreshments will follow. The event funds palliative care and end of life services in Cook County.
Cut Your Own Tree
Magnetic North Farm in Colvill is hosting a Cut Your Own Tree fundraiser to benefit Care Partners’ program for caregivers and their loved ones on Sunday, December 8 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. In return for your donation to Care Partners, you will be able to choose and cut down your own Christmas tree. There will also be cider, cookies, and the critters of Magnetic North Farm to make it fun for the whole family.
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