Sometimes being there for someone means asking for help. Let’s face it; you can’t do it all. As a family caregiver, you may need to reach out to another resource to not only help your elderly or home-bound family member, but to also help yourself. You must be aware of your own needs and limits.
These resources will go into further detail on caring for yourself so that you can really care for your loved one instead of exhausting yourself every day with no balance in your life. There’s a reason why you have to “place your own oxygen mask on first” before you can be there to help others.
When Family Caregivers Can’t Do It All
Like It or Not, You Can’t Do It All
It’s exhausting. It’s stressful. And it’s something that no family caregiver wants to admit. But the fact is that sometimes you just need more help. When anxiety sets in and you come to the realization that you can’t do it all, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
The Daughter Trap: Taking Care of Mom and Dad…and You
Is caring for elderly parents the responsibility of families, government, nonprofit groups, religious organizations, business, the community—or all of the above? This book delves into the taking care of your parents in their “Golden Years,” as well as yourself.
http://www.daughtertrap.com
Coping With Guilt
Caring for an aging parent, a sick relative, a spouse or a friend can take an emotional toll. Feelings of guilt, anger, resentment and sorrow are normal and common. Understand your feelings and learn how to cope with them.
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/emotional-toll/article.2007-06-18.1522525432?ipc=B00448§ion=section_00
Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Perhaps one of the greatest costs of Alzheimer's disease is the physical and emotional toll on family, caregivers, and friends. Learn more about caring for this difficult disease.
http://www.healthyplace.com/alzheimers/caregivers/alzheimers-caregivers/menu-id-1042/
Support For Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease impacts every aspect of daily life. As Alzheimer’s patients lose one ability after another, caregivers face tests of stamina, problem-solving, and resiliency. What can you do to ease the burden?
http://www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_disease_dementia_support_caregiver.htm
Life Time Learning
As a family caregiver, the most empowering tool you have is understanding the new or changing needs of your senior parent or family member. We offer easy to use online learning for all of our clients’ families to deal with these often difficult situations.
http://www.synergyhomecare.com/learning/
Veterans and Their Caregivers
How Can You Serve the Men and Women Who Have Honorably Served Us All
Every man and woman who has served this great nation by serving in the United States military deserves our thanks and our respect. From World War I to the War on Terror, these men and women come home with injuries and disabilities that may require temporary or long term care. Synergy HomeCare would like to thank these brave individuals and offer our services as our gratitude.
How to Get Veterans' Benefits for Assisted Living or Home Care
According to attorney William S. Fralin, writing in YourHEALTH Magazine, it's possible for American veterans to take advantage of this (Aid and Attendance) benefit for care in an assisted living facility or in their homes.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1234785/how_to_get_veterans_benefits_for_assisted.html
The Aid and Attendance Benefit Program
The Aid and Attendance (A&A) Pension provides benefits for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature. Learn more.
http://www.veteranaid.org/program.php
Resources for Soldiers, Vets and Families
Here you’ll find basic information for active-duty soldiers, war veterans, and their families on traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and substance abuse. Also included is a list of legal groups and organizations offering services to military families.
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/424/soldier-resources.html
Americans at War
Through the eyes of those who were there, Americans at War® looks back at the moments when ordinary people were called to extraordinary heroism.
http://www.americans-at-war.com/
Understanding Long-Distance Caregiving
Eliminating the Stress of Long Distance Family Caregiving
Caring for aging parents or loved ones from a distance is a simple reality in some cases. Unfortunately, your work or immediate family doesn’t always allow you to live just down the street from you elderly parents. This can be a very stressful and scary situation for you as well as them. In this section, you’ll learn about long distance care, what it is, and how to find the right resource that can offer competent and compassionate care for your loved one on a more regular basis, giving them comfort and giving you peace-of-mind.
How to Deal with Long -Distance Issues
You get the call at work from your husband. Your mother-in-law has fallen at home, broken her hip, and is on her way to surgery. You just returned from visiting her last weekend. What can you do?
http://assets.aarp.org/external_sites/caregiving/planAhead/long_distance_issues.html
So Far Away: Twenty Questions for Long -Distance Caregivers
Five years ago, Dave’s mother moved from the old family house in Philadelphia to an apartment in Baltimore. Dave didn’t give much thought to how the increased distance would affect their relationship. 20 things you should know about long distance care.
http://www.nia.nih.gov/healthinformation/publications/longdistancecaregiving/
Caring for Mom and Dad from Afar
It was shortly before midnight, and Dr. Patricia Harris was getting ready for bed. The phone rang. On the other end of the line was a woman about to break a promise. Learn a few insightful ways to ensure you are there for your aging parents, even from across the country.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/family/01/31/ep.long.distance.care/index.html
