November 1, 2017

November is National Family Caregivers Month

November is National Family Caregivers Month, where we take the time to honor those who spend countless hours helping family members with various ailments stay in their homes as long as possible.  From www.caregiveraction.org, here are 10 Tips for Family Caregivers:

  1. Seek support from other caregivers.  You are not alone!
  2. Take care of your own health so that you can be strong enough to take care of your loved one.
  3. Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.
  4. Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors and other medical professionals.
  5. Be open to new technologies that can help you care for your loved one.
  6. Watch out for signs of depression and don’t delay getting professional help when you need it.
  7. Caregiving is hard work so take respite breaks often.
  8. Organize medical information so it’s up to date and easy to find.
  9. Make sure legal documents are in order.
  10. Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is!

The South Arkansas Center on Aging Education Center is here to help.  We have a month of FREE celebrations and educational events, plus our 24 hour a day caregiver support line (SUCCESS Program).

  • Thursday, November 16:  Caregiver Celebration | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | Be our guest at this event honoring and celebrating YOU!  El Dorado Conference Center, Murphy Hall 1.
  • Thursday, November 16 | Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group | 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm | Held every third Thursday of each month, a light lunch is provided.  Simmons First Bank, 2nd floor conference room.
  • Thursday, November 16 | Parkinson’s Disease Support Group | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Held every third Thursday of each month.  Simmons First Bank, 2nd floor conference room.
  • Tuesday, November 28 | Family Caregiver Workshop:  Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | This workshop will present an overview of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and provide caregiving tips that help maintain respect, dignity and quality of life for the person living with dementia.  Lunch provided by Courtyard Nursing & Rehab | Call 870-881-8969 to reserve your spot.
  • Tuesday, November 28 | Alzheimer’s & Dementia Experience | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | This 30 minute program simulates symptoms of dementias to help health care providers and caregivers.  Call to reserve your spot.

Caregiver SUCCESS Program | If you are a caregiver of a loved one and you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, inadequate, or burnt out, then the caregiver SUCCESS program may be for you.  We offer one-on-one counseling sessions with Certified Dementia Practitioners specific to the needs of the caregiver, as well as 24 hour support, resources and suggestions to make caring for your loved one more manageable.  To speak with someone about SUCCESS or to schedule a free consultation, call 870-881-8969.