October News and Events
The most comprehensive center for family and professional caregiving.
Long-Distance Caregiving              
           by Shelly Slaczka    


It is challenging being a caregiver, but it is an extra obstacle trying to do it from a distance.  Creating a contact list, collecting important information, making visits productive, looking into public benefits online, getting help with managing the care, and keeping communication open are ways to help cope with managing the distance.


Create a contact list of addresses and phone numbers of friends, neighbors, doctors, faith leaders and others familiar with your loved one who can be reached in an emergency.  Try to include at least one person close by who can easily check in.  Consider giving this person a house key with permission of your loved one.  This list of people may also be able to help out with some needs such as shopping, transportation or visits.  Collect important information such as medical, insurance, utilities, financial, and legal information before a crisis.  Keep it organized and easy to get to.



Take advantage of your time with your loved one.  Enjoy your time, but make sure you assess their changing needs.  Decide together what needs to be taken care of. 

 If time allows, do what you can to help take care of some of those needs.  Pay attention to anything out of the ordinary and safety hazards.  Check to see if your loved one's daily needs are still being adequately met and see if help is needed.

 

Look online to get an idea of the different public assistance programs for which your loved one might be eligible.  You can find state, federal and private benefits programs available where your loved one lives by a simple internet search.  There are programs that can help them save money and cover costs of everyday expenses.

 

Get help with managing the care.  Most communities have professionals who can measure your loved one's abilities and needs and help set up a plan for care. One form of assistance is through government-funded programs.  A private geriatric care manager is another option for professional care.  If your loved one has long-term care insurance, this might be covered under the policy.

 

Be sensitive to your loved one's view of the situation and keep the lines of communication open.  It is difficult for anyone at first to agree to letting a stranger into their home, even when there is a need.  Your loved one needs you to be understanding and reassured that they are not dealing with the challenges alone.



Please RSVP by call 919-371-2062 or by emailing Shelly Slaczka at Shelly@guidinglightsnc.org




HEALTH AFFAIRS ROUND TABLE



Next meeting on November 17, 2016
9:30 am - 11:00 am
You must become a member to attend.


Meeting Location:
7615 Six Forks Road
Raleigh, NC 27615


To register, click here or contact:
Shelly Slaczka
shelly@guidinglightsnc.org
919-371-2062








Thank you to all of the volunteers, sponsors, 
presenters, speakers and exhibitors.


Your generosity and support benefited countless others and helped make the Caregivers Summit a successful event.






HART conducted a breakfast bag collection to benefit Meals on Wheels. 


HART members collected 
more than 900 breakfast bags. 


Thank you to everyone who has helped make this such a successful event. 


Special thanks to the following businesses and organizations for being drop off sites:


Accessible Home Health Care 
FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies U.S.A., Inc
Atria OakridgeHomewatch CareGivers of the Triangle
Brookdale CommunitiesSarahCare
Brighton Gardens of Raleigh Sunrise Communities
Cambridge Village of ApexTransitions LifeCare
Capitol Financial Solutions
Walker Lambe, Rhudy, Costley & Gill, PLLC

Falls River Village and Court

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh











To find out more please click here!




Radio Show that Focuses on Caregiving Concerns
Did you know there is a radio show that can help you?




Caring Connections with your host Nicole Bruno on
97.9 WCHL.  Reaches mainly the Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham County markets.  Listen in at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm Saturdays and Sundays.  Or you may find the pod casts of past shows by clicking here.


If you have a caregiving question that you would love to have answered on air or if you have a topic you think we should cover please email: nicole@guidinglightsnc.org.








Do You Know Who I Am?
7.0 CEU Dementia Training


"Do You Know Who I Am?" is an Alzheimer's Disease training program for both family and professional caregivers. It is a participatory, interactive, and innovative approach to learning how to more effectively work with individuals with dementia, especially Alzheimer's. Learn more.


Training Dates
Transitions GuidingLights Caregiver Training Institute


The Transitions GuidingLights Caregiver Training Institute now offers the DHSR approved Nursing Assistant 1 (NA1) program.  We also have scholarships available to Raleigh residents who qualify.  For more information about this robust and interactive program, please click here.


Information & Referral

 

Transitions GuidingLights is pleased to offer information and referrals to caregivers seeking resources for a loved one. Caregivers may drop in or call during regular business hours to receive personally tailored referrals to meet their specific care needs. Transitions GuidingLights provides referral services FREE of charge to family caregivers. Call (919) 371-2062 for help TODAY or Click Here To Contact Us



Awakening

Caring Matters
CPR/ AED


Transitions GuidingLights offers CPR, AED, and First Aid training.  This is a two year American Heart Association certification. Contact us if you would like to be certified.  

Interest In CPR



Awakening Program


The Awakening Program is a comprehensive life management program designed for individuals afflicted with dementia, especially Alzheimer's and their caregivers.



Caring Matters


Caring Matters is a 14 video series designed to educate you about the various aspects of caregiving.  Click Here For Videos


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Nurse

Caring Connections


Caring Connections is a weekly radio show for caregivers about caregiving.  This show has entered its third year of production and can be heard locally on WCHL.  All shows are also available via podcast by clicking 
  






Lending Library


The Transitions GuidingLights lending library houses hundreds of books to aid caregivers in their journey as well as books that will help you to prepare to care.  For your convenience we also have a complete listing of our titles online which can be found here.






Skills Lab


Transitions GuidingLights has a skills lab available. Are you unsure of how to provide assistance with activities of daily living for a loved one? If so, contact us and we would be glad to set up an appointment with one of our nurses who will work with you to practice the skills you need to become a more confident caregiver. Contact us by clicking here.


Thank You!! Community Partners
  Outreach NC     Woodland Terrace Logo
   SarahCare    
 

 




3739 National Drive, Suite 204, Raleigh, NC 27612 · 919.371.2062





Transitions GuidingLights | 3739 National Drive | Suite 204 | Raleigh | NC | 27612