Caring for the Caregiver Right to Flourish January 4, 2013

1. Caring for the CaregiverRight to FlourishJanuary 4, 2013 • Introduction – Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging: Who We Are / What We Do • Caregiving for Your Loved Ones – Preparing for the Journey • Managing Self Care: Basic Principles • Managing Caregiving Stress • Benefits of Good Communication • Reaching Out – Using Community Resources • Q & A Livia Fiordelisi, Care Manager National Family Caregiver Support Program Coordinator, LFiordelisi@wcaaa.org Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, 84 Progress Lane, Waterbury, CT 06705 203-757-5449 - 800-994-9422 - www.wcaaa.org

2. vs. Acute Illness Cures available Short-term Return to normal Dealing with certainty Chronic Illness No cures Long-lasting “Normal” changes Uncertainty Acute =/= Chronic

3. QUESTIONS to CONSIDER 1 Challenges Alyce and her family faced? 2 Changes in Alyce? 3 How well did Alyce take care of herself? What do you think?

4. QUESTIONS ABOUT ME… 1 What can I learn? 2 What changes do I need to consider? 3 What do I need to do to take better care of me? Don’t become another Alyce

5. MANAGING SELF-CARE MEANS… • Take responsibility. • Have realistic expectations. • Focus on “what I can do.” • Communicate effectively with others. • Deal with our emotions. • Set goals and work toward them. It’s up to me!

6. TAKE BETTER CAREOF MYSELF • POSSIBLE STEPS: • 1 Make doctor’s appointment • 2 Take half-hour break • 3 Ask son to stay with Dad • 4Walk 3 times a week Taking Action

7. STEPS TOMANAGING STRESS 1 Recognize 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!

8. Completethesestatements… • 1 My warning signs of stress are______________. • 2 Sources of stress for me are_________________. Discuss àReport for partner

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

10. THE SERENITY PRAYER …grant me the serenity to Accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference. —Reinhold Niebuhr, 1934

11. CHANGES I CAN MAKE • Change a situation • Change my perception • Change my response Accept what I cannot change

12. GOOD COMMUNICATION... • Prevents misunderstandings. • Builds relationships. • Increases chances of being heard. • Reduces stress and frustration. • Enhances problem solving. Benefits both listener and speaker

13. COMMUNICATING WITH THE MEMORY-IMPARIED PERSON 1. Have realistic expectations. 2. Keep it short and simple. 3. Use repetition. 4. Do not argue or correct. 5. Be aware of your body language. 6. Use touch. Keys to open the door…

14. LOCAL RESOURCES Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging 203-757-5449 800-994-9422 www.wcaaa.org Independence Northwest (disability services) 203-729-3299 www.independencenorthwest.org Alzheimer’s Association, CT Chapter 1-800-272-3900 www.alz.org/ct Parkinson’s Disease Association, CT Chapter 1-877-282-7328 www.ctapda.org National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) CT Chapter 1-800-215-3021 www.namict.org Strike it Rich

15. WEB RESOURCES CT Department of Social Services. Elder Serviceswww.ct.gov/agingservices Learn more about Connecticut’s National Family Caregiver Support Program page and other helpful programs. Eldercare Locatorwww.eldercare.gov The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with information on senior services. ElderCare Onlinewww.ec-online.net A site for those caring for aging and parents and elderly loved ones. They are committed to providing senior resources, home health care advice and an online community where supportive peers and professionals help improve the quality of life for caregivers and elders. Family Caregiving 101www.familycaregiving101.org A joint venture of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) to recognize, support and advise family caregivers. Strike it Rich

16. WEB RESOURCES FCA: Family Caregivers Alliancewww.caregiver.org/caregiver FCA is a public voice for caregivers. FCA programs—information, education, services, research and advocacy—support and sustain the important work of families nationwide caring for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions. National Center on Grandparents Raising Grandchildrenchhs.gsu.edu/nationalcenter The National Center was established in 2001, within the College of Health and Human Sciences at Georgia State University. The group’s aim is to support grandparent-headed families in order that they may secure a promising future for their grandchildren. National Family Caregivers Associationwww.nfcacares.org The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 65 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships and life stages to help transform family caregivers' lives by removing barriers to health and well being. The Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregivingwww.rosalynncarter.org Dedicated to establishing local, state and national partnerships committed to building quality long-term, home and community- based services. The Institute provides family caregivers with effective supports and making investments that promote caregiver health, skills and resilience. Strike it Rich