Caregiver Seeks Respite Care for Seniors at Home and Caregiver Support

A post by Sonia Minors
Sonia Minors, a resident of Hanahan, South Carolina, is in need of respite care for seniors at home and caregiver support. Her unwavering commitment revolves around providing at-home care for her 87-year-old mother, who grapples with Alzheimer's disease and severe osteoporosis. This journey began after her mother fractured her hip on Christmas morning in 2008, compelling her to move in with Sonia. The ongoing decline in her mother's health presents new challenges regularly.

Discovering Respite Care and Support

After 18 months of being her mother's primary caregiver, Sonia discovered the respite care program offered by the Alzheimer's Association in South Carolina. Additionally, she actively participates in two caregiver support groups each month. Recognizing the toll caregiving took on her mental health, leading to depression and anxiety, Sonia sought help from the Berkeley County Mental Health Center. There, she receives both medication and counseling, proving instrumental in improving her well-being. She attributes much of her resilience to these two crucial organizations.

Embracing Physical Activities

Sonia has also found solace in physical activities. She engages in a sit & fit exercise program at the Hanahan Senior Center twice a week and joins a zumba gold class once a week following an exercise session. The sit & fit class has notably enhanced her muscle strength, enabling her to assist her mother with daily tasks such as moving and bathing.

Essential Geriatric Equipment

To facilitate her caregiving responsibilities, Sonia has acquired essential geriatric equipment, including a wheelchair and other items, from a Kidney Foundation Thrift store. She also borrowed a transport wheelchair from the Disabilities Center, emphasizing the importance of mobility aids for caregivers.

A Motion Alarm for Added Safety

One remarkable solution she highlights is a motion alarm she purchased online. This alarm attaches to her mother's bed and alerts her when her mother sits up during the night, providing a significant improvement over traditional bed alarms. The motion alarm is manufactured by Secure and can be attached to a door frame if there is a risk of the patient attempting to leave the home.

Overcoming Financial Challenges

Sonia's caregiving responsibilities are extensive, encompassing housework, laundry, yard work, grocery shopping, and accompanying her mother to doctor's appointments. Furthermore, she manages her home in Georgia, making mortgage payments and ensuring its upkeep while leasing a house in Charleston, SC. These responsibilities have limited her employment opportunities, and she currently lacks medical insurance, being ineligible for Medicare benefits due to her age. Her savings have been nearly depleted, further accentuating the financial strain.

Future Needs and Challenges

The pressing needs on the horizon include a wheelchair ramp and an impending requirement for a hospital bed. Sonia represents the "middle man" in the caregiving journey, caught between the responsibilities of caring for her aging mother and her own financial limitations

Strength in Faith

I am 63 yrs old and weigh 120 lbs. I do all the housework, laundry, yard work, grocery shopping, caring for my mother and take her for doctor's appointments. I own a home in Georgia which I make mortgage payments and upkeep on while leasing a house in Charleston, SC. I cannot accept employment, have no medical insurance and am not old enough to receive Medicare benefits. My savings are nearly depleted.

We need a wheelchair ramp and will soon need a hospital bed. Where is help for the middle man? Middle - a double sided sword as we are caught in the middle when we need help.

Take comfort that your God (whomever He might be to you)is bigger than the challenges we face.

Sonia Minors

How Much Should Family Caregivers Sacrifice

Sonia

Thank you for sharing this information with us. I want you to know that you are not alone. You are also a very good role model for so many other caregivers out there.

The need for respite care for caregivers of seniors is undeniable, yet it's a challenge that remains significantly unmet. The lack of affordable respite care resources is a pressing issue that places an immense burden on caregivers who are often family members, like yourself. This lack of affordable options exacerbates the already demanding role of caregiving and can lead to burnout, stress, and compromised well-being for caregivers.

Caregiver Crisis is Causing a Shortage of Affordable Respite Care

One of the key reasons for the shortage of affordable respite care is the insufficient number of direct care workers available to provide this essential service. Direct care workers play a vital role in providing care to seniors, allowing family caregivers to take much-needed breaks. However, the demand for their services far exceeds the available workforce, leading to both a shortage and increased costs.

Learn about Building a Care Team Partner Support Group

Addressing this challenge requires a multi-faceted approach. First and foremost, there is a need for increased investment in training and recruiting direct care workers. This can be achieved through government initiatives, educational programs, and incentives to attract more individuals to this field. By expanding the pool of direct care workers, we can help meet the growing demand for respite care services.

Additionally, it's crucial to advocate for policies that support affordable respite care options. This may involve increased funding for respite care programs, subsidies for low-income caregivers, and the expansion of insurance coverage to include respite care services. These measures can help make respite care more accessible to those who need it most.

One innovative approach to addressing this issue is the introduction of "Care Team Partner Support Groups." These support groups would bring together family caregivers, direct care workers, and other professionals involved in senior care. These groups could serve as a platform for caregivers to share their experiences, exchange tips, and access valuable resources. They can also facilitate collaboration between family caregivers and direct care workers, fostering a supportive and cooperative environment.

By creating Care Team Partner Support Groups, we can promote a more holistic and collaborative approach to caregiving. This not only benefits caregivers but also enhances the quality of care provided to seniors. It's an innovative solution that can help bridge the gap between the need for respite care and the lack of affordable resources.

In conclusion, the shortage of affordable respite care resources and direct care workers is a critical issue that requires urgent attention. By investing in workforce development, advocating for policy changes, and introducing innovative concepts like Care Team Partner Support Groups, we can make significant strides in addressing this challenge and providing much-needed relief to caregivers of seniors. Caregivers like Sonia Minors deserve our support and access to the resources they need to provide the best possible care for their loved ones while maintaining their own well-being.

I am proud of you for finding and accepting the respite care that is available. Even small breaks, walking the dog, your exercise classes or sitting on the beach are mental health breaks from your caregiving duties.

Caring for a loved on with Dementia

Caring for a loved one with dementia at home can be a difficult and overwhelming task, especially if you are not receiving respite care or adequate caregiver support. It is important to recognize when respite care is needed, as it will allow you to take time away from caring for your loved one, rest and recharge. Respite care can be provided in the form of respite care homes, day respite services or respite home visits.

It is also important to seek out support when caring for someone with dementia at home. There are many resources available such as local caregiver support groups, online forums and other helpful resources. Additionally, if you qualify for limited financial support, respite care can be provided at a lower cost.

No matter what level of respite care or support you receive it is important to remember that no one should feel alone in their journey as a caregiver. It takes courage and dedication to provide care for someone with dementia and respite services can help lighten the burden.
You are doing a great job taking care of yourself. Caregiver stress is real and does adversely affect health. Please keep in touch.

Diane Carbo RN

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