If you are caring for a senior family member, you are not alone. According to research by the Family Caregiver Alliance, more than 34 million Americans provide unpaid care for an adult who is age 50 or older. But many of these people don’t think of themselves as a “caregiver.” Recognizing that you have taken on this demanding job can be the first step toward getting the support you need.
Here’s a look at some of the resources available for caregivers in Marietta, Georgia.
Educate Yourself
These services can assist you in determining what your needs are as a caregiver, and identifying resources that can meet those needs.
- Cobb County Senior Services — The county’s Information and Referral Specialists are available to answer questions about caregiving and what services the county provides. Care managers meet with caregivers of seniors ages 60 and older to help the family develop a care plan, as well as a plan to prevent caregiver burnout. To find out more about these resources, call 770-528-5364
- Family Caregiver Academy — This seminar will teach you basic caregiving skills, as well as provide guidance on how to manage the stress of caregiving.
- Family Caregiver Toolbox — This list of resources will help answer some of the questions that may come up in your daily role as caregiver, such as these tips on having difficult conversations with seniors who may not realize they need extra help.
Care for Yourself
Sometimes caregivers are so wrapped up in the needs of the person they are caring for that their own physical and mental health begins to suffer. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s important for caregivers to fight stress and prevent burnout by taking breaks to recharge.
Here are some resources that help caregivers in Marietta find time for self-care.
- Respite Care - Respite Care providers come into the home to allow caregivers to take a break.
Visiting Angels offers care in the Marietta area, scheduling the number and length of visits based on the needs of the senior and caregiver. Services provided include bathing and dressing, personal hygiene and grooming, and meal preparation and feeding.
- Adult Day Care - Caregivers who need regular time off to go to work or run errands can take advantage of adult day care centers.
Aloha Day Club offers a stimulating environment for seniors three days a week. Seniors play games, exercise, listen to music, take part in discussions, and eat lunch. Monday through Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join a Support Group
If caregivers become overwhelmed by the demands of their role as caregiver, they may feel like no one understands them and become isolated or depressed. Support groups where caregivers can meet to discuss their challenges are a good way for them to understand that they are not alone. According to the website DailyCaring.com, that’s just one of eight benefits that caregiver support groups offer.
Here are just a few of the places where caregiver support groups meet in Marietta.
- The Episcopal Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, 1795 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, on the second Thursday of each month. Email Rev. Elisa Harres for more information.
- Smart Patients Caregivers Community — This online caregiver forum sponsored by Family Caregiver Alliance is available for caregivers who find it difficult to attend a local support group.
Explore Senior Living Communities
Sometimes, no matter how many resources are available, the best thing a caregiver can do for their senior loved one is to help facilitate a move to a senior living community. Communities like Arbor Terrace of Burnt Hickory in Marietta employ fully trained caregivers and are designed to meet residents’ needs in the best ways possible. This not only improves its senior residents’ quality of life, but also gives their family members the peace of mind that comes with knowing their loved ones are well cared for.
If you’d like to find more about Arbor Terrace of Burnt Hickory, call 770-691-0050 to arrange a tour.
