Seems like everywhere I go there are conversations about caregiving. A local friend feels she can’t travel so she can be there for her mom whose confusion is spiking. A friend in another state went from caring for her husband, to caring for her mother, to having her adult son move in with her after he suffered two strokes.
Four brothers try to figure who can stay with their father at least once a month to give their mother a break. An adult son and his wife worry about his father who is passing out and falling at his remote home hours away from them. Reading those situations, I’m guessing most readers of this column have someone who comes to mind fitting a similar scenario.
The term caregiving has broad meaning. It can be making sure daily errands and chores are completed, or finding solutions to challenges as they arise, or learning disease symptoms and management, or providing hands-on daily care, and everything in-between.
A commonality across most scenarios is a desire to continue living in one’s home be that a house, condo, senior or other apartment, a room in an extended family household, or another dwelling altogether. While nursing homes fill an important niche for those who cannot assure support is available in one’s home, home based alternatives are growing steadily.
The May AARP Bulletin included a Special Report on Long-Term Care; when care is needed on a regular, ongoing basis. They talked about the challenges of making at-home care work, both on a societal and individual level.
A broad societal issue is simply knowing where to turn when life as we know it makes a shift. I was gratified to see promotion of the national network of entities designated Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) as “…the closest thing to a one-stop shop for caregiving guidance.”
I’m proud of the exceptional local AAA team whose Info-Line for Aging & Disability contact number can always be found at the end of this column. Professionals answer the line; do feel free to pick their brains regarding challenges you’re facing. They know the ins and outs of local opportunities for at-home care. It’s a public service, no obligation or cost.
Need information for a locale outside of Berrien, Cass or Van Buren County? The national Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 can answer questions and link you with the AAA resource anywhere in the country by giving the zip code of the area of interest.
What other challenges are there in making at-home care work? Helping employers know and embrace the importance of paid leave for caregiving. There are many models. For example, locally at AAA paid personal time is accrued separately from vacation time and allowed for caregiving responsibilities. Some states and companies are creating new shared premium benefits for caregiving costs. The value for both employee retention and reduction of lost work time is proven.
Issues of transportation, workforce shortages and healthcare inequities are serious and spawn innovative solutions across the country. National conferences are full of best practice sharing.
Meanwhile on the home front, AAA has partnered to launch a new complimentary online service for families caring for loved ones called Trualta. In the privacy of one’s home you can: 1) learn about different activities to do with a loved one with challenges, 2) understand different behaviors and how to handle them, 3) discuss experiences and learn from others, and 4) recognize the importance of self-care and how to make time for your own needs.
Lessons on topics are about five minutes or less and can be accessed by mobile device or a computer. Ninety percent of users find the lessons and information beneficial. Check it out at www.areaagencyonaging.org. Click on Caregivers on the home page and you’ll see a link to Trualta.
It’s simple to register. Difficulties?? No problem, the folks at AAA can help you out. Enjoy!