Powerful Tools for Caregivers:

1. Powerful Tools for Caregivers: Debra Laine Special Program Developer Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging Powerful Intervention for Long Term Caregiving Becky Hagen-Jokela U of MN Extension Educator Family Resource Management

2. Today : • Importance of caregivers, caring for self in long term caregiving situations • Explore some strategies of positive self-care through sampling Powerful Tools for Caregivers • Take a deeper look at Powerful Tools for Caregivers

3. Demographics • Increased numbers of older adults • Smaller family size • Dispersed families • Increased numbers of people living alone • Workforce growing smaller

4. Between 2010 and 2035 • Number of Minnesotans age 65+ will more than double,677,000 to 1.4 million. • Number of Minnesotans age 85+ will more than double, 222,000.

5. Between 2010 and 2035 • Average Family Size • In 1940, 3.8 members • In 2000, 3.1 members • By 2040, will have 2.8 members

6. Family Caregivers • A family member, friend, or neighbor who takes care of a frail or disabled older person. • Dressing, feeding, bathing, grocery shopping, transportation, handling finances, medication management, attending dr. appointments

7. Family Caregivers • Amount of care • 20.4 hours each week • Average of 4.6 years • Care recipient • Aging (15%) • Alzheimer’s disease, confusion, dementia or forgetfulness (15%)

8. Family Caregivers • On average caregivers provide care recipients help with two ADLs. • All caregivers perform at least one IADL. On average caregivers assist with four IADLs and this has remained constant over time.

9. Family Caregivers • 27% say they need help balancing their work and family responsibilities or need help finding time for themselves (31%) • 32% say they are the caregiver who provides the most unpaid care and 43% feel they did not have a choice to take on this role.

10. Caregivers in MN • 736,000 Caregivers in MN • 1 in 6 people • 508,000 support someone age 65 or older • 228,000 care for a child or adult (under 65) with a disabling condition.

11. Caregivers in MN • 60% of caregivers are working, most full time • Typical caregiver in MN: • 50 year old female caring for a 77 year old female

12. Burdens Associated with Caregiving • Time deficits • Emotional strain • Health problems • Mental health problems • Financial burdens • Retirement insecurity

13. Benefits of Caregiver Support • Reduce Caregiver stress and depression • Increases knowledge & skill sets • Increases coping & resiliency • Improves continuity of care & outcomes for older adults • Help avert crisis situations & calls to care managers

15. Managing Stress

17. STEPS TO MANAGING STRESS 1Recognize warning signs EARLY. 2 Identify sources of stress. 3 Identify what YOU can and cannot change. 4 Take action. Don’t ignore it—Do address it! #19

19. RESULTS OF NEGLECTING STRESS • Increased health problems • Disrupted relationships • “Burnout” • Depression • Decreased quality of care Ignore it—it festers #22

21. BARRIERS TO TAKING ACTION • Can’t think of what to do. • Choosing a difficult activity. • Postponing stress reduction. Recognize, then remove barriers #25

23. PARTS OF AN ACTION PLAN • Something YOU want to do • Reachable • Behavior specific • Answer these questions: • What? • How much? • When? • How often? • Confidence level Thrive while caregiving #14

25. Powerful Tools for CaregiversProgram • “Caring for an older adult with a chronic illness can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining.” • Powerful Tools for Caregivers can help!

26. What is Powerful Tools for Caregivers? • Educational program – not a support group • 6-week series of classes • Focus on caregiver self-care • Scripted curriculum • Train-the-Trainer model

27. The Program • Developed over 3 years of pilot testing, refinement, and evaluative research (Legacy Caregiver Services in Portland, Oregon) • Offered since 1998. (Grant funding) • Award winning program: 2007/National Family Caregiver Award; 2009/Network of Multicultural Aging Excellence Award.

28. The Program • As of 2011, over 1,700 Class Leaders have been trained in more than 30 states. • PTC materials have reached over 70,000 caregivers!

29. Powerful Tools is: • Proven to produce results • Easily implemented • Attractive to funding sources • Based on solid research • Well-packaged

30. PTC Outcomes Improved: • Self-Care Behaviors • Management of Emotions • Self-Confidence • Use of Community Resources

31. Thrive VS Survive! Learn new self-care tools: • DESC • AKIDO

32. 4 STEPS OF ASSERTIVENESS: DESC Describeobservable behavior or problem Expresshow you feel Specifywhat needs to happen Consequence Keeps conversation on track #45

33. AIKIDO COMMUNICATION 1 Align – What does the person need? 2 Agree – Look for areas of agreement. 3 Redirect – Move the conversation forward. 4 Resolve– Seek to resolve differences. Find common ground àHarmony #47

34. Self-Care Tools: • Reduce personal stress • Change negative self-talk • Communicate needs to family members/healthcare/service providers • Communicate in challenging situations

35. Self-Care Tools: • Recognize messages in their emotions • Deal with difficult feelings • Make tough caregiving decisions (placement, driving issues, or finances) • The Caregiver Helpbook (2nd ed.)

36. Results Program research, evaluation and revision has lead to continued: • Value and success. • Positive impact on caregiver health: -Rural, ethnic minorities -Adult children of aging parents -Well-spouses/partners -Caregivers at differing stages in caregiving roles -Differing living, financial, and educational backgrouunds

37. Contact Information • Debra LaineSpecial Program Developer • 218-529-7534 • dlaine@ardc.org • 221 West First StreetDuluth, MN 55802 • Becky Hagen JokelaUniversity of MN Extension Educator, Family Resource Management • 218-726-6477 • hagen022@umn.edu • 179 University Rd.Cloquet, MN 55720