More than 43 million Americans provide unpaid care for a loved one. They average about 20 hours of care per week. Yet the challenges of caregiving remain hidden. Most people don’t know how exhausting caregiving can be until they become a caregiver. Many caregivers worry that their exhaustion means something is wrong with them — not that caregiving is inherently challenging.
The truth is that caregiving may be the most difficult thing you ever do. It’s simultaneously rewarding and demoralizing, frustrating and meaningful, exhausting and energizing. Conflicted emotions are normal. If you’re struggling with the demands of caregiving in Alpharetta, Georgia, you are not alone. The following resources can help you access the support you need.
Legal Concerns
Many caregivers struggle to help their loved one get their affairs in order. It’s important for your loved one to draft a will, a power of attorney, and an advance directive addressing their final wishes. These resources can help:
- Fill out Georgia’s advance directive documents here. You must complete a state-specific document. Don’t download one from a random internet site.
- The Elder Law Section of the Atlanta Bar Association advocates for strong elder protection policies and connects caregivers to attorneys who can help them with issues such as seeking guardianship and being good stewards of their loved one’s resources.
- The Atlanta Legal Aid Society helps low-income people access high-quality legal support. They can help with concerns such as seeking guardianship, fighting foreclosure, and dealing with abusive landlords.
Support Groups and Caregiver Assistance
Caregiving demands all of the emotional resources you have — and then some. Perhaps that’s why at least 20 percent of caregivers experience depression. The right support can restore your sense of balance and replenish your emotional bank account. Here are some excellent starting points:
- Thriveworks offers group support in Alpharetta, as well as individual counseling.
- The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving offers an impressive range of caregiver support options, including educational seminars, support groups, and even research on caregiving best practices.
- The Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offers a caregiver support group, education, online support, and fundraisers, as well as volunteer opportunities for caregivers who want to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s.
- Empowerline supports caregivers to access the resources they need. Empowerline also sponsors caregiver health and self-care seminars that urge caregivers to tend to their own needs.
Healthcare Management
As your loved one ages, their healthcare needs may become more complex. The following resources can help you manage the evolving demands:
- Aging and Disability Resource Connection helps connect families to long-term care options.
- Emory University Hospital is one of the nation’s best hospitals. They offer a dedicated cognitive clinic, as well as numerous dementia research programs. Consider an evaluation at Emory to get an accurate diagnosis and more health resources.
- For seniors eligible for Medicaid, Georgia’s Community Care Services Program offers payment to family caregivers. This can ease some financial burdens of caregiving.
- GeorgiaCares offers assistance choosing and affording health insurance.
Other Resources
Atlanta is one of the most rapidly aging cities in the nation, and Georgia already has a relatively large senior population. Although there are certainly resource gaps, a number of providers are trying to fill the void. Here are some other exceptional resources:
- The Division of Aging Services’ Home and Community Resources offers a comprehensive list of non-Medicaid services to support aging and disabled people.
- Seniors who want to work can find help from the Senior Community Employment Program.
- Learn about the wide range of benefits available to seniors through the Division of Aging Services’ Benefits Guide for Older Georgians.
Cobbling together the resources your loved one needs can be challenging. For some families, senior living offers an all-in-one solution that saves money, reduces stress, and ensures excellent care.
