Caregiver Survival Tips Offered for Library Group

Social workers Felice Brand and Mary Ann Stein from Good Shepherd Hospice in Melville recently visited the Sayville Library to offer advice, tips and coping skills to caregivers.

In a private, informal discussion group, the two social workers sat with caregivers to talk about the challenges they deal with on a daily basis. As part of the program, handouts and take-home literature were available as well. Participants started with a quiz titled "Is This Normal?" to find out more about their emotions.

They were also offered the 10 Caregiver Survival Tips. They include:

• Plan ahead
• Learn about available resources.
• Take one day at a time.
• Develop contingency plans.
• Accept help
• Make YOUR health a priority.
• Get enough rest and eat properly.
• Make time for leisure.
• Be good to yourself.
• Share your feelings with others.

With the holidays just around the corner, another handout from the Family Caregiver Alliance offered tips on how to cope with the seasonal stress and caregiving. Trying to juggle the holidays, daily activities and caring for your loved one can be stressful but manageable with the right planning.

There was also advice on how to tell if an older family member may need help. The Eldercare Locator produced a list of 10 warning signs to help family members determine if help is needed. They are:

• Changes in eating habits within the last year.
• Neglected personal hygiene
• Neglected home
• Exhibited inappropriate behavior such as being unusually loud or quiet, paranoid or agitated
• Changed relationship patterns such that friends and neighbors have expressed concerns
• Physical problems such as burns or injuries
• Decreased or stopped participating in activities that were previously important to them
• Exhibited forgetfulness, missing appointments, unopened mail, etc.
• Mishandled finances
• Unusual purchases

More information was given to the group on assisted living facilities and nursing homes, what services are provided and how to choose a facility. Resources and costs involved were also available. Family caregiving can continue in the nursing home, and caregivers can help to maintain family connections by calling and visiting, personalize their space, bringing them their favorite foods or planning an outing. Caregivers can also help provide their relative with privacy, help maintain person hygiene and communicate with the health professionals. They can also help to maintain a sense of control for the resident by encouraging independent choices.

Advice was also given on how working caregivers can help to strike a balance and how to recognize caregiver burnout. Symptoms of caregiver burnout can include: withdrawal from friends and family; loss of interest in activities; changes in sleep or eating habits; emotional and physical exhaustion; irritability and more.