More and more Americans are
living well into their 80's and 90's… and many who do will require
special care as their needs increase. That care often comes from
family members, and the task can be a big challenge. This program
will discuss planning, creating, and paying for long term care and
various options.
Diane LeFever RN, BS, MS. Clinical Nursing
Supervisor for Broome County Community Alternative Systems Agency
(CASA) - A NY Connects partner, since 2000, oversees 18
Community Health Nurses/Case Managers who provide free
comprehensive in home (or in facility) assessments to determine a
Broome County resident's level of care and how their long term care
needs may be best met. Ms LaFever has been involved in Aging Futures, sat on numerous community health
agency advisory boards and is a Past president of the NYS CASA
Association.
Diane graduated from the Decker
School of Nursing at BU with a BS in Nursing and an MS in
Gerontological Nursing. Prior to coming to CASA in 1996 she worked
in the Long Term Care Facility setting in New York and Pennsylvania
for 15 years, and as a Registered Nurse she's made hundreds of
home visits and been a provider of pediatric private duty
nursing.
Cathy Tulloch .Program Coordinator for
the Health Insurance Information, Counseling and
Assistance Program (HIICAP)with Action
for Older Persons, a private non-profit organization in Broome
County.
Tom Briggs. Director of Delaware County Office for the Aging since
1983, Past Chairman of the National Center on Rural Aging and Vice
President of New York State Green Thumb Inc. He is a former
officer and Board member of the NYS Association of Area Agencies on
Aging , Former Board member of the National Council on Aging,
Former President of the Delaware Academy School, and board
member of several other Boards including Habitat for Humanities,
Rural Health Alliance, and several community organizations. Tom
lives in Franklin NY with wife Donna.
Legacy Caregiver support program was developed
under a grant from Atlantic Philanthropies through the University
of Maryland. Currently we have 25 volunteers serving parts of
Delaware County and are always in quest of additional volunteers
and caregiver households. Offer "adopt a grandparent program",
working with Delaware County ARC to develop volunteer caregiver
support matching service.
"WSKG is joining with partners during National Family
Caregivers Month to focus on the rewards and challenges associated
with caregiving. Join us on Saturdays at 4:00 PM for
WXXI's Second Opinion for Caregiver's
Series: November 7 -
Alzheimer's Disease: A Caregiver's Journey; November
14 - Kidney Disease: Caring for Someone with a Chronic
Disease; and November 21 - Caregiver
Burnout.
Ten Tips for
Caregivers
-Take good care of yourself. It's not selfishness. It will
help you continue to care for others.
-When people offer to
help, accept the offer. Have a list of specific things others can
do.
-Schedule regular time off.
Respite will recharge your batteries and make you a better
caregiver.
-Seek support from other
caregivers. Join a group, have a telephone buddy, or go on-line.
You are not alone.
-Find out about and use
community services for caregivers. They were created to support
you.
-If other relatives won't help
with hands-on care, suggest other tasks for them to do, such as
errands and home repairs.
-Set limits on what you will do; preserve time and space
for yourself.
-Educate yourself
about your loved one's condition. You will feel more in control if
you know what to expect.
-Watch out for signs of
depression, and don't delay in getting professional help when you
need it.
-Take pride in the important work you are
doing.
Reading
List
Mace, N. L. and Rabins, P. V. (1999). The 36-hour day: A
family guide to caring for persons with Alzheimer disease, related
dementing illnesses, and memory loss in later life.
Schmall, V. L., Cleland, M., and Sturdevant,
M. (2000). The Caregiver Helpbook: Powerful Tools for
Caregiving.
Available for purchase through:
Legacy Caregiver Services
1015 NW 22nd Ave., Portland, OR 97210
Phone: (503) 413-6578
e-mail: caregiver@lhs.org
Strauss, C. (2001).
Talking to Alzheimer's.
Thomas, W. (2004). What are old people
for? How elders will save the world. Acton, MA:
Vanderwyk & Burnham.
