From:                              Caregiver Coalition of Northeast Florida <noreplies@caregivercoalitionofnortheastflorida.ccsend.com> on behalf of Caregiver Coalition of Northeast Florida <newsletter@mycaregiverconnection.org>

Sent:                               Thursday, September 10, 2015 6:40 AM

To:                                   Alexander, Pat

Subject:                          Caregiver Connections -- September/October 2015

 

Vol. 6, Issue 4  |  September-October 2015

Join Our Mailing List

 

 

Our Caregiver Coalition
2015 Sponsors:

 

Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Brooks Rehabilitation


 

 

The Caregiver Coalition
of Northeast Florida is a partnership
between these organizations:

 

Aging True

Alzheimer's Association

Brooks RehabilitationElderSource

 

City of Jacksonville

Mayo Clinic Florida

 



 

Area Councils on Aging

 

Upcoming Events   

 

Aging True

Monthly Weekend Support Groups

Learn more by contacting Melynda Rackley, caregiver support programs manager, 904.807.1292.

 

Caregiver College

sponsored by Bartram Lakes/Brooks Assisted Living & Alzheimer's Association

All programs 2 to 4 p.m.

Bartram Lakes Assisted Living

6209 Brooks Bartram Drive, Jacksonville 

RSVP to any/all programs: 800.272.3900

 

Thursday, Sept 10:

Healthy Habits for a Healthy You

 

Friday, Oct. 9:

Know the 10 Warning Signs

 

Friday, Nov. 13:

Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, and Dementia: The Basics

 

Grandparents Day 2015

Sponsored by Friends of ElderSource
Saturday, September 12

10 a.m to 2 p.m.

Museum of Science & History (MOSH)
1025 Museum Circle

Jacksonville

FMI: 904.391.6679

 

"Caring for the Veteran's Caregiver" Conference

Friday, September 18
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WJCT Studios
100 Festival Park Ave.
Jacksonville
RSVP: 904.407.6790 or register online

 

Forever Fit 50 & Beyond: Jacksonville Senior Games

October 2-10

Opening Ceremony

Friday, October 2

1 p.m. Metropolitan Park

Downtown Jacksonville

 

25th Annual Golf Classic to benefit Meals on Wheels

Tuesday, October 6

11 a.m. Registration/Lunch

12:30 p.m. Shotgun start

Hidden Hills Golf and Country Club

3901 Monument Road

Jacksonville

 

"Caring for the Caregiver" Conference
Wednesday, October 21
5:30 to 8 p.m.
St. Johns County Council on Aging - River House
179 Marine St.
St. Augustine
RSVP: 904.407.6790 or register online

 

"Caring for the Caregiver" Conference

Saturday, Nov. 14

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Council on Aging of Nassau County

1367 South 18th Street

Fernandina Beach

RSVP: 904.407.6790 or register online

 

AgeWell Care Partners Conference

Saturday, Nov. 21

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

UNF Herbert University Center

12000 Alumni Drive

Jacksonville

$25 registration through October 15

FMI: 904.202.4243

 

  

Caregiver Coalition of Northeast Florida Logo

  

Our Mission:

 

To promote awareness

and knowledge of, sensitivity to and support for family caregiving

in Northeast Florida.

 

 Our Vision:

 

All family caregivers will have knowledge of and access to resources that support them and those in their care.

In This Issue:

 

 

Next Friday: Annual Veterans' Caregiver Conference Visits WJCT Studios Downtown

 

Do you care for a veteran? Join your friends at the Caregiver Coalition and Community Hospice Veterans Partnership at WJCT Public Broadcasting in downtown Jacksonville for our annual "Caring for the Veteran's Caregiver" conference next Friday, Sept. 18.

 

This program focuses on the unique needs of our military veterans and how you can best support them and yourself at the same time. 

 

View our flier and RSVP to 904.407.6790, or register online now!

 

 

Just For St. Johns County: Join Us October 21

 

If you can't make it to this month's conference (or even if you can!), make plans to join us for a shorter version in prime time, on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the River House in St. Augustine. This special version of "Caring for the Caregiver" will be hosted by the St. Johns County Council on Aging. 

 

Take a look at the conference flier and register online, or call 904.407.6790 to tell us you're coming.

 

 

own-care

Caregivers, Take Charge Of Your Health! Here's How...

 

This article was adapted from, "Taking Care of You: Self-Care For Family Caregivers." Read the full article at Caregiver.org.

 

Caring for yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit, too.
  

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center on Caregiving, "If you are a caregiving spouse between the ages of 66 and 96 and are experiencing mental or emotional strain, you have a risk of dying that is 63 percent higher than that of people your age who are not caregivers. The combination of loss, prolonged stress, the physical demands of caregiving, and the biological vulnerabilities that come with age place you at risk for significant health problems as well as an earlier death.

Baby Boomer contemplating difficult decisions"Older caregivers are not the only ones who put their health and well being at risk. If you are a baby boomer who has assumed a caregiver role for your parents while simultaneously juggling work and raising adolescent children, you face an increased risk for depression, chronic illness and a possible decline in quality of life.

But despite these risks, family caregivers of any age are less likely than non-caregivers to practice preventive health care and self-care behavior."

 

Although you cannot stop the impact of a chronic, progressive illness or injury for someone you care for, there is a great deal you can do to take responsibility for your own personal well being.

 

First, identify the personal barriers that may be standing in the way of caring for yourself. As a family caregiver, ask yourself, "What good will I be to the person I care for if I become ill? If I die?" Breaking old patterns and overcoming obstacles is not an easy proposition, but it can be done regardless of your age or situation. 

  • Do you think you are being selfish if you put your needs first?
  • Is it frightening to think of your own needs? What is the fear about?
  • Do you have trouble asking for what you need? Do you feel inadequate if you ask for help?
  • Do you feel you have to prove that you are worthy of the care recipient's affection? Do you do too much as a result?

You may have misconceptions that increase your stress and get in the way of good self-care. Here are some of the most commonly expressed:

  • I am responsible for my parents' health.
  • If I don't do it, no one will.
  • If I do it right, I will get the love, attention and respect I deserve.
  • Our family always takes care of their own.
  • I promised my father I would always take care of my mother.

Seniors playing cards as a stress relieverOnce you've identified personal barriers to good self-care, you can begin to change your behaviors, moving forward one small step at a time. Following are some effective tools to start you on your way:

 

Reduce Personal Stress

  1. Recognize warning signs early. These might include irritability, sleep problems and forgetfulness. Know your own warning signs, and act to make changes. Don't wait until you are overwhelmed.
  2. Identify sources of stress. Ask yourself, "What is causing stress for me?" Sources of stress might be that you have too much to do, family disagreements, feelings of inadequacy or the inability to say no.
  3. Identify what you can and cannot change. We can only change ourselves; we cannot change another person. When you try to change things for which you have no control, you will only increase your sense of frustration. Ask yourself, "What do I have some control over? What can I change?" Even a small change can make a big difference. 
  4. Take action. Taking action to reduce stress gives us back a sense of control. Stress reducers can be simple activities like walking and other forms of exercise, gardening, meditation or having coffee with a friend. Identify some stress reducers that work for you.

Set Goals

Decide what you would like to accomplish in the next three to six months for taking care of yourself.


Seek Solutions

Once you've identified a problem, taking action to solve it can change the situation and also change your attitude to a more positive one, giving you more confidence in your abilities.

 

Communicate Constructively

When you communicate in ways that are clear, assertive and constructive, you will be heard and get the help and support you need.

 

Seniors helping each otherAsk For and Accept Help

When people have asked if they can be of help to you, how often have you replied, "Thank you, but I'm fine"? Many caregivers don't know how to accept the goodwill of others and are reluctant to ask for help. You may not wish to "burden" others or admit that you can't handle everything yourself.

 

Talk to Your Physician

While caregivers will discuss their loved one's care with his or her physician, caregivers seldom talk about their own health, which is equally important. Building a partnership with a physician that addresses the health needs of the care recipient and the caregiver is crucial. The responsibility of this partnership ideally is shared between you, the caregiver, the physician and other health care staff. 

 

Start to Exercise!

Exercise promotes better sleep, reduces tension and depression, and increases energy and alertness. If finding time for exercise is a problem, incorporate it into your daily activity. Walking, one of the best and easiest exercises, is a great way to get started. Besides its physical benefits, walking helps to reduce psychological tension. Try to walk 20 minutes a day, three times a week. If you can't get away for that long, try to walk for as long as you can and for however many days you can.

 

Learn From Your Emotions

It is a strength to recognize when your emotions are controlling you, instead of you controlling your emotions. Our emotions are messages to which we need to listen. They exist for a reason. However negative or painful, our feelings are useful tools for understanding what is happening to us. Even feelings such as guilt, anger and resentment contain important messages. Learn from them, then take appropriate action.

 

It's Up to You!

It's not selfish to focus on your own needs and desires when you are a caregiver. It's an important part of the job! You are responsible for your own self-care.

 

 

 

partner-spotlightPartner Spotlight: AgeWell Institute 


Baptist Health AgeWell Center

Transforming the lives of seniors

The mission of the AgeWell Center is to help older adults who face challenging medical issues live more independent, productive lives, with a range of specialized primary care services delivered all in one place.

AgeWell's interdisciplinary team members want to help patients stay as healthy as possible and continue doing the things they love to do. They consider physical, emotional, social and environmental factors that can impact quality of life, as well as care for the care partner, as part of an overall assessment each patient receives.

 

What can you expect?

You'll get an in-depth assessment, over two visits, which will cover the factors that can affect your health and wellness. You can also expect that the care plan will be designed with your personal goals in mind.

At your initial assessment, you will be with members of the team for two or three hours. The team includes a geriatrician, a physician specializing in elder care, along with other team members that may include a clinical pharmacist, rehab specialists (physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist), a mental health provider, dietitian, clinical nurse specialist and care coordinator. 

 

Family members or friends are strongly encouraged to participate throughout the assessment.

Learn more or schedule an appointment at 904.202.4243, or visit baptistjax.com/agewell.

 

 

toulas-tips 

Toula WootanToula's Tips: Caregivers, Put On Your Oxygen Masks First!


Am I really talking about self-care again? Yes, I am. I understand what you are facing each day because, I too, am a caregiver. I am involved in the care of my dear parents and can identify with you.

Caregivers wear many hats. You have to be a medication specialist, master scheduler, chauffeur, creative chef, patient friend, nurse and confidant. There are difficult days and impossible ones. During all of it, your goal is to provide the best care for the one you love so much. Otherwise, you wouldn't be doing it!

The emotional toll of caring for a frail elder can be steep. Watching the person you love so much decline in physical and cognitive function is heart wrenching. The strong parent or grandparent who used to take care of you now needs to be parented. Feelings of sadness, anxiety and exhaustion are common.

Here are a few tips to help:

  • Give yourself permission to say no. If you are overwhelmed, just say no. It's OK, really.
  • Develop your own self-care plan that includes enough rest, healthy diet, and yes, some exercise every day, even if only for a few minutes. As airlines tell us, in case there's a change in pressure, put on your oxygen mask first before you assist anyone else. You can only help someone else after you've taken care of yourself.
  • Create a few simple goals that will enrich your life. Do you like to garden, journal, talk with a friend daily? Write them down. If you write your goals down, they're more likely to happen.
  • Check out available resources, like the Caregiver Coalition of Northeast Florida! There are lots of organizations to assist you.
  • Take a break. Yes, you can, and there are resources to provide this respite for you if you don't have someone. Check with Caregiver Coalition members.
  • Find a "Caregiver Buddy," someone you can call to connect with. There are lots of us in our community!
  • Whatever you do, remember you are not alone! There are many of us who can help. Please seek them out.

Toula's weekly radio call-in program, "Toula's Tips for Caregivers," airs Saturdays at 11 a.m. on WBOB, AM 600 in Jacksonville, streaming live from your browser at WBOBRadio.com, or via iHeart Radio. Call in at 904.222.TALK (8255).

 

 

patient-experienceThe Patient Experience



mother-daughter-portrait.jpg"Caring for a loved one with a chronic condition can often be profoundly fulfilling, as many times individuals move closer together when challenges arise; however it can also become overwhelming, physically and emotionally challenging, and isolating. At times, it can be thought of as a burden."

 

The article, "Who is Taking Care of the Caregiver?" from The Journal of Patient Experience, reviews common caregiver challenges and determines how health care providers can address and help caregivers more effectively care for themselves while maintaining their responsibility to the person they love.

 

 

agewell

Nov. 21: Learn How To Help Loved Ones 'Age In Place' At AgeWell Conference


Are you a caregiver for an elder who prefers to age at home? Baptist Health's AgeWell Institute will help you navigate the unique challenges of in-home care at its third annual care partners conference on Saturday, Nov. 21.

The daylong seminar will feature one of America's leading dementia educators, Teepa Snow. Teepa has made it her personal mission to help families and professionals better understand how it feels to live with dementia. You'll also hear from two AgeWell Center geriatric experts: Dr. Raphael "Tito" Balbino with "Aging Well: Facts and Myths" and psychologist Melissa Roffman with "What About Me? Caring for the Caregiver."

The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of North Florida Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive on the UNF campus. A $25 registration fee will include continental breakfast and lunch, conference materials and access to local resources to support elders and their caregivers. After October 15, the fee increases to $35.

Online conference registration will be available soon. Call 904.202.4243 to learn more.

 

 

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Caregiver Coalition of Northeast Florida
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