CCSWO Caregiver Assistance Network
Read Balance,
the Caregiver Newsletter
Holidays 2011
NOVEMBER NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH
President Obama has named November 2011 as National Family Caregivers Month. Research shows that family caregivers provide most of the care for older adults who need help with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, and instrumental activities of daily living, such as going to medical appointments, taking medications, and paying bills. In Ohio, AARP reported that last year family caregivers spent about 1.59 million hours helping loved ones with basic activities of daily living. These unpaid services would have cost taxpayers $17.5 million if Medicaid had paid.
Nationwide, AARP has estimated that in 2009 about 61.6 million family caregivers provided care at some point during the year. These caregivers contributed an economic value of about $450 billion to the U.S. economy. The AARP report is available online.
To help older adults and their caregivers, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) administer programs and services, including the Family Caregiver Support Program, that provide assistance such as respite care. In addition, AAAs provide free consultation and can link families to services available in their communities. More information on AAAs is available online.
Through the Older Americans Act, the Administration on Aging provides funding to the AAAs for this work. Congress is currently considering the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.
The Caregiver Assistance Network
The Caregiver Assistance Network works closely with churches, facilities, senior groups, employers, and others in presenting educational programs. This is a partial listing of available topics. You also have the opportunity to work with CAN and the speaker to adapt the presentation to the specific needs of your group. Call (513) 929-4483 for the complete list. We encourage you to make your reservations soon while more dates are open.
- The Caregiver’s Challenge: Taking Care When Giving Care
- Where to Turn for Help
- Dealing with Age-Related Changes
- Legal and Financial Issues for Seniors and Caregivers
- Communicating Effectively with Health Care Professionals
- Tools for Caregivers — a four-part series
Seminars & Meetings
Please check the Caring Matters website for upcoming seminars and meetings as well as monthly videos covering a wide range of topics realted to caregiving.
Why a Support Group?
“A sense of hope is knowing that your present moment has meaning.” - Robert Randall
Each type of support group has its own advantages and disadvantages. You may find that you prefer a structured, moderated group. Or you may feel more at ease meeting less formally with a small group of people. If you’re uncomfortable about sharing personal information with a group of people you don’t know, of any size, consider attending one meeting and listening, rather than talking. If you decide to take part in a group, try it out a few times. If you don’t find it useful or comfortable, you don’t have to continue. You may have to experiment with different kinds of support groups before you find the one that meets your needs. To be continued…….
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