April 27, 2016

Community Volunteers Trained to Care for Caregivers

On Tuesday, April 26th, ten individuals from South Arkansas volunteered their time to be trained as respite caregivers. This training was sponsored by the Arkansas Lifespan Respite Coalition, and was taught by Bethany Cheatham, RN, CDP, a REST (Respite Education and Support Tools) Certified trainer .

What is respite? It is simply a way of giving a temporary or short-term break to someone who is a full-time caregiver. For those caring for a loved one who can not care for themselves due to age, disease, or a disability, the constant physical, mental, and emotional effort spent can take an immense toll. It can even lead to health problems for the caregiver. This is where respite care comes in! Respite care provides a way for a full-time caregiver to feel safe and confident in leaving their loved one for a short time, be it a few hours or a few days. It is not just “babysitting”, but caring for the care recipient the way their primary caregiver would. However, there is a shortage of people who are available, knowledgeable, and willing to offer respite care. For a family dealing with Alzheimer’s disease, those who might be willing or available to offer respite care may not feel capable given the specific needs and interactions they might encounter. By offering this 8 hour training, the South Arkansas Center on Aging is seeking to educate and increase the number of capable respite caregivers in our community. Even this small amount of education made these individuals feel ready and able to take on caregiving with more confidence and strength!

If you are in need of a caregiver, click HERE to see a list of our certified graduates. Or if you are interested in becoming a respite or professional caregiver, the Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Center in El Dorado can provide the skills and confidence you need. Ask today about our certified courses and workshops, or click HERE for our upcoming classes!