Parenting a Parent: November is National Family Caregivers Month

Great_Care_logoIn November, we traditionally give thanks for family, friends and loved ones, and for the bounty of food placed on our tables. This month, the Caregiver Action Network (CAN) wants us to also thank family caregivers with some much-deserved respite time.

“Respite – the chance to take a breather, the opportunity to re-energize – is as important as any other item on your caregiver’s to-do list,” says CAN, the nation’s leading family caregiver organization that works to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.

The nonprofit provides education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge. According to CAN, respite is one of the most frequently requested support services for family caregivers, for obvious reasons.

“Respite is the key to your own well-being,” CAN says. “Respite protects your own health, strengthens family relationships, prevents burn-out and allows your loved one to stay at home up to three times longer. People think of respite as a luxury, but considering caregivers’ increased risk for health issues from chronic stress, those risks are a lot costlier than some time away to recharge,”

Great Care Founder and CEO Julie Sullivan agrees on the importance of respite. Great Care offers these services as a way for family caregivers to alleviate stress and anxiety.

“Caregiving can present challenges to caregivers mentally and physically, and we have seen first-hand how taking time for respite can help families in a myriad of ways,” she says. “Family caregivers must take care of themselves to properly care of others. They need time to step back, relax and unwind, or do something they love that helps boost moral and energy during stressful moments, especially as the holiday season begins.”

The Caregiver Action Network, formerly the National Family Caregivers Association, has designated November as National Family Caregivers Month. In 2015, CAN is educating families and caregivers about the importance of respite with the theme, “Respite: Care for Caregivers.” By breaking down the word with alliteration, CAN illustrates how families can meet the needs of everyone involved with this important time in the caregiving journey:
• R is for “Rest and Relaxation”

“Everyone needs a little ‘R and R’ – especially family caregivers. Relaxing is the best way to return refreshed to handle your many responsibilities as a caregiver,” CAN says.
• E as in “Energize”

“Caregiving is often round-the-clock 24/7. Respite isn’t simply ‘getting a few hours off.’ It’s necessary to help you reenergize, reduce stress and provide care for your loved one.”
• S as in “Sleep”

“Caregivers often have sleep problems. Address sleep problems and insomnia before they take too great a toll on your health.”
• P is for “Programs that can help you”

“Respite – which can be in the home or out of the home – can be hard to find but there are programs available to help you.”
• I as in “Imagination”

“Let your mind run free; read a book; see a movie. You have been so occupied with the nuts-and-bolts of caregiving that refreshing your mind will actually help you be a better caregiver.”
• T as in “Take Five”

“… or better yet, take 10. Do you find yourself saying, ‘I wish I had just 10 minutes to myself?’ Don’t feel guilty. You need a reprieve – a few minutes to temporarily disengage.”
• E is for “Exhale”

“A simple breath in and then a long exhale can help you focus and increase your vitality. A few deep breaths can give you more energy, reduce stress, and lift your mood.”

For more information about CAN, and for caregiving resources, visit http://caregiveraction.org.
The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs, including respite care. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information

About Julie Sullivan

Julie Sullivan is the Owner at GreatCare of Indianapolis IN.
GreatCare is a licensed, personal services agency, providing in-home care services to the Indianapolis, Indiana and surrounding areas. We serve the personal health and daily care needs of seniors or individuals who prefer to stay at home, but require assistance with everyday activities, such as dressing, personal hygiene, meal preparation, laundry or errands. Our team of certified nurse aids and home health aids can provide you with personalized, in-home care services to meet your needs, including:
Daytime hourly in-home care
Temporary or post-hospital respite care
24-hour, around-the-clock home care
Morning and evening care
Overnight / Slumber care
In addition, we offer our Care Compass service, to assist in setting the course for the next stage in your loved ones life. We guide you through the currents of aging, and help you find your true north. Our licensed nurses, with experience in hospice and geriatric care, will help guide you through the complex and often sensitive journey of selecting an in-home care service, and will provide a smooth transition to a new way of life for your loved one, without the anxiety and fear.

Our current nursing and management team has more than 75 years of combined experience in the home healthcare services industry. All of our caregivers are bonded, insured and screened thoroughly, so you know you’ll be receiving the greatest care possible. That’s why we stand by our mission: to deliver the same, quality care we expect for ourselves and our loved ones.
Google