Help and hope for caregivers
November is both National Family Caregivers Month and
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month – an opportunity to recognize
the immense contributions of those who care for loved
ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. In New
York, there are currently an estimated one million caregivers
who provide over a billion hours of unpaid care each year.
But the time that they dedicate to their caregiving
responsibilities is only the beginning. Caregivers are
often under emotional, physical, and financial strains due
to the demands of caregiving. Caregivers can become
isolated, experience higher levels of stress, and become
ill themselves.
If you are a caregiver who is struggling, you are not alone!
Below are a few tips that can help you in your role as
caregiver:
1. Take care of yourself
Ask for assistance from family members, neighbors, and
professionals. Look into respite services that can offer
you a break. Too often caregivers forget to take care of
themselves. Spend time with friends, maintain exercise
and healthy eating habits, and see your own doctor on a
regular basis.
2. Connect to support groups
Sharing your experiences and listening to other caregivers
through peer support groups can help you manage stress. If
you feel isolated, it can be beneficial to connect with others
who understand what you are going through.
3. Learn more about Alzheimer’s disease
Knowing what to expect can help you prepare for the
challenges of caregiving. Learning about Alzheimer’s and
other forms of dementia, caregiving techniques, and longterm
care planning for your loved one can help you become
a more effective caregiver and reduce anxiety about the
future.
If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease,
there is hope. Like many caregivers, Carma Augustin felt
overwhelmed. She cares for her mother and works nights,
juggling her mom’s needs with her own. But she reached
out for help, engaging with peer support groups, respite
services, and caregiver education. “I recognized that in
order to take care of my mom, I had to take care of myself,”
Carma says. Now she feels less stressed and isolated, and
can be more present with her mom.
With the right supports in place, like Carma, you can
create a better quality of life for both you and your loved
one. Thanks to the New York State Department of Health
and the New York City Department for the Aging, free
support services are available to caregivers in all five
boroughs. Services include respite care, education and
training, peer groups, assistance with Medicaid benefits,
long-term care planning, and much more. To find services
near you, call 877-577-9337.
Roy Capps MPS is the Caregiver Educator for Sunnyside
Community Services’ Care NYC program.
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