COLCHESTER — Caring for a loved one comes with both rewards and challenges.
The emotional and physical toll can feel isolating, and that’s why Age Well is launching a new program to provide support and community to the caregivers of older adults.
“Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” a six-week workshop, launches Tuesday, Aug. 19 at Age Well’s office in Colchester.
“The class breaks down the kind of isolation that a lot of caregivers find themselves in,” Jennifer Harbison, Age Well’s caregiver support specialist, said. “A caregiver’s world can really shrink down so that it’s just them and their person.”
Harbison works with unpaid caregivers who often have been providing support for a while and may be feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, these caregivers are referred to Age Well by primary care providers.
The organization can provide education about chronic diseases like dementia, since medical professionals often aren’t able to provide that detailed support to caregivers.
“Medical providers are just not set up to be able to spend time with someone, to meet the person where they are, in terms of how they understand information and what kinds of questions they might have,” Harbison said. “That’s one of the things that we do have, is we do have time so we can spend — as little time or as much time right as the caregiver needs.”
Harbison acknowledged there can be a stigma surrounding needing help with caregiving, as many feel like they should be able handle it all themselves.
To counteract this, Harbison tries to emphasize that caregiving is a “team sport” and that by doing it alone, the caregiver risks burning out and neglecting their own health.
Caregivers come in all ages, but those in the “sandwich generation” are more susceptible to burnout, as they might be raising young children and caring for an aging parent.
The upcoming program will focus on teaching caregivers self care techniques, like how to manage difficult emotions and advocate for their needs. Each week will focus on a different topic, including identifying stress, communicating in challenging situations and mastering decision making.
Caregivers can also take advantage of other Age Well programs like volunteers who provide “friendly visits” to do activities like grocery shopping or taking notes at a doctor’s visit.
About 50 volunteers are trained to provide weekly dementia caregiver respite, so the caregiver can take a break, get lunch with a friend, go to a doctor or do whatever they need to do.
“Consistent breaks are one of the big challenges that caregivers face,” Harbison said. “It’s important to have time when they know their person is safe and well cared for.”
Age Well does not charge for any of the services it provides. Instead, it relies on federal and state funding and charitable donations from community members, businesses and organizations.
“Powerful Tools for Caregivers” will run from 5-6:30 p.m. for six Tuesdays starting Aug. 19. Those interested can sign up by calling the Age Well helpline at 1-800-642-5119.
Read the full article on the Saint Albans Messenger website.
