| Greetings!
Why is it so important that we celebrate National Family Caregiver Month this  November? There are many ways to answer this. One could say we celebrate because the caregivers need some recognition for all of their hard work. One could say we celebrate because caregivers save us tax dollars as they are the largest providers of long term care in America. These are both valid reasons. But the real reason to celebrate this month is because caregivers are the heart and soul of our society. Caregivers continually show that love, devotion, kindness, creativity, and patience are the standards by which we should live our life. For this, we celebrate!
Sincerely,
Sheryl Leary
Caregiver Specialist |
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 Celebrating National Family Caregiver Month
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Supporting caregivers through education is a critical component of the Family Caregiver Support Program at HESSCO. Each month, HESSCO offers educational programs to the community. They are free of charge and open to any interested parties. Because November is National Family Caregiver's Month, HESSCO is offering a variety of educational programs. Programs are offered during both daytime and evening hours to accommodate all schedules.
Coping Strategies for Caregivers will give practical tips for how to cope with immediate issues as well as the ongoing nature of caregiving. Caregivers will learn specific ways to manage stressful experiences. This program is offered November 4, 2009 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM or 6:00 - 7:30 PM.
Finding the Rewards in Caregiving is a workshop that will provide caregivers with insight into how they view challenges in their life and how to "find" their reward. This program is offered November 10, 2009 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM and November 12, 2009 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM (location of November 12 program is New England Sinai Hospital.)
Caregiver 101 is an overview of resources available for care, strategies for planning and managing care as well as family decision making. This program is offered November 19, 2009 from 10:00 - 11:30 AM or 6:00 - 7:30 PM.
Registration is recommended for these programs. All programs will take place at HESSCO Elder Services, 1 Merchant Street, Sharon MA unless otherwise noted. For more information, or to register, call Sheryl Leary, Caregiver Specialist at 781-784-4944 or email at sleary@hessco.org. |
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Will a Support Group Help Me?
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Caregivers are often advised to go to a support group to help cope with the  emotional difficulty of providing care for another. However, some caregivers resist this notion and may not know what a support group can offer them. Support groups can provide you that connection to someone who is experiencing many of the same emotions as you. Support groups can offer you tips and information on how to provide care for your loved one. Support groups can be a safe place to discuss some of the more trying aspects of caregiving.
Instead of immediately disregarding this option for support, consider the following. When there have been other challenging times in your life, did you ever seek help through your peers or those who have had a similar experience? For example, when parenting a newborn, did other parents give you information and advice? On the first day of a new job, did other employees help train you or show you around? These are examples of when you may have embarked on something new, and you needed information, help and support from others around you. Going to a caregiver support group should be viewed in this same light.
Caregivers should also consider attending a support group because caregiving can be isolating. Caregivers often lose much of their free time due to their care responsibilities. Caregivers sometimes can't relate as well to their friends who may not understand their situation. Enjoying a regularly scheduled group specifically for caregivers can meet that social need and the need for others to truly understand your situation.
HESSCO maintains a list of local support groups. For more information, click hereor call HESSCO and ask to speak to the Caregiver Specialist. |
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Finding Accurate Information
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It is always hard for caregivers to ensure that the information that they are receiving is accurate. Caregivers should always be cautioned to know the source of website postings as well as written literature. If the person you are caring for has a diagnosed condition, there is often a national organization or network designed to disseminate information on that condition. This is a great place to get information about that particular illness. These national organizations generally have the currently accepted medical information as well as data on experimental or research options. These national organizations are careful as to what is posted on their site. With the possible exception of the bulletin boards or blogs where site visitors post their personal experiences, these sites will provide you with current, valid information.
A listing of some of the more common websites are:
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Know Another Caregiver? |
Do you know someone else who could benefit from this newsletter? Click on the "Forward Email" on the bottom of this email.
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Upcoming Events |
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October 28: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Caregiver 101 at HESSCO
October 29: 6:00 - 7:30 PM Caregiver 101 at HESSCO
November 4: 1:00 - 2:30 PM or 6:00 - 7:30 PM Coping Strategies for Caregivers at HESSCO
November 4: 7:00 PM Talk and Conversation with Gloria Barsamian author of "Sustenance and Hope for Caregivers of Elderly Parents" at Sharon Public Library, 11 N. Main Street, RSVP to 781-784-8000.
November 10: 1:00 - 2:30 PM Finding the Rewards in Caregiving at
HESSCO
November 12: 7:00 - 8:00 PM Finding the Rewards in Caregiving at New England Sinai Hospital
Novemer 12: 7:00 - 8:30 PM Conversations Before the Crisis sponsored by the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce's Eldercare Alliance with Arlene Lowney, RN, MBA and Crystal Thorpe, MSW, MBA. Morrill Memorial Library
33 Walpole Street, Norwood
November 19: 10:00 - 11:30 AM or 6:00 - 7:30 PM Caregiver 101 at HESSCO
December 8: 1:00 - 2:30 PM Coping for the Holidays at HESSCO
December 11: 10:00 - 11:30 Home for the Holidays at HESSCO presented by the Neponset Valley Alzheimer's Partnership | |
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