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Caregiving Conference 2022
Pierce County Caregiver Conference 2022
Presented by Aging and Disability Resources and the Health Care Providers Council of Pierce County
The Caregiver Conference ended on August 13th, 2022. For those that missed it, below you can find the recorded presentation.
Caregiving takes many forms. Many of us help older, sick, or disabled family members and friends every day. We know we are helping, but we don’t think of ourselves as caregivers. We are glad to do this and feel rewarded by it, but if the demands are heavy, over time we can also become exhausted and stressed. We think we should be able to handle caregiving roles on top of busy work and family schedules and begin to feel guilty and depressed as our stamina wanes.
Who Are Caregivers? The short answer is most of us, at some point in our lives. Caregivers are daughters, wives, husbands, sons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, partners and friends. While some people receive care from paid caregivers, most rely on unpaid assistance from families, friends and neighbors.
Caregivers manage a wide range of responsibilities. In your family, for example, are you the person who buys groceries, cooks, cleans house or does laundry for someone who needs special help doing these things, helps a family member get dressed, take a shower and take medicine, transfers someone in and out of bed, helps with physical therapy, injections, feeding tubes or other medical procedures, makes medical appointments and drives to the doctor and drugstore, talks with the doctors, care managers and others to understand what needs to be done, spends time at work handling a crisis or making plans to help a family member who is sick, is the designated “on-call” family member for problems. Quite a list!
Here is a profile of caregivers:
- Sixty percent of caregivers are women; 40% are men.
- Most caregivers are married or living with a partner.
- The majority of caregivers are middle-aged (35-64 years old).
- Most caregivers are employed, working full or part-time.
- Ethnic minority caregivers provide more care than their white counter-parts.
- Nearly 1 in 5 provide more than 40 hours of care per week.
- Most caregivers live near the people they care for. Eighty-three percent care for relatives, 24% live with the care recipient, 61% live up to one hour away, and 15% live a one or more hour drive away.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance
August 13th, 2022 | 9 a.m. - Noon
9:00 a.m. | Information Resources | |
9:30 a.m. | Session 1: "Planning Ahead for Long Term Care" Presented by: Matt Santelli, Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center Understanding the need to plan ahead for Long Term Care and what programs can assist with Long Term Care costs. | |
10:00 a.m. | Session 2: "Attaining and Maintaining Boundaries" Presented by: Marian McGunagle, Visiting Angels Whether you chose the profession of caregiver, or were placed in this position by default, you want to make a difference and have an impact on the life of the individual you have been called to serve. You also want to feel connected and yet, the closer you get, the more difficult it is to keep your distance, emotionally and physically. It is critical, for the benefit of the caregiver, as well as the ‘client’, to establish boundaries and maintain them. The caregiver’s mental and physical health are at risk when boundaries are continually crossed | |
10:30 a.m. | Break | |
10:40 a.m. | Session 3: "Connected CARE: How can we help?” Presented by: Karen Gilbert, West Pierce Fire & Rescue West Pierce Fire and Rescue Connected CARE program is a new program for our district. Our goal is to assist with connecting people in our district to the resources in the community. We want to empower people with the tools to manage their healthcare, mental health and social needs. I will share the ongoing goals of the program as it continues to develop, the community resources used, and some positive outcomes. | |
11:10 a.m. | | Session 4: "Caregiver Stress, Frustration and Guilt" Presented by: Lisa Doyle, CayCare Caregiving is an emotional roller coaster. Each day can be filled with high points and low points, often just minutes apart. Add to this a multitude of emotions and caregiver stress, frustrations and guilt can be “off the chart.” Knowing that those emotions are more or less “normal” and how to successfully cope with them is key to maintaining a healthy balance when caregiving. |
11:40 a.m. | Information Resources | |
9:30 a.m. | Session 1: "Planning Ahead for Long Term Care" Presented by: Matt Santelli, Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center | Download Materials |
10:00 a.m. | Session 2: "Attaining and Maintaining Boundaries" Presented by: Marian McGunagle, Visiting Angels | Download Materials |
10:40 a.m. | Session 3: "Connected CARE: How Can We Help?" Presented by: Karen Gilbert, West Pierce Fire & Rescue | Download Materials |
11:10 a.m. | Session 4: "Caregiver Stress, Frustration and Guilt" Presented by: Lisa Doyle, CayCare |
Pierce County Human Services Aging and Disability Resource Center (253) 798-4600 800-562-0332 | The Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) serves as the front-door to the local Long Term Services and Supports delivery system. Our program provides unbiased information, community outreach / education, help accessing services and person-centered care planning / care coordination to meet the individual needs of older adults, persons with disabilities and their caregivers. Our Family Caregiver Support Program helps unpaid family caregivers with numerous services and supports - some without income limitations and others on a sliding scale. We also work closely with Lifespan Respite Washington to provide short breaks for caregivers. | |
Health Care Providers Council of Pierce County | The Health Care Providers Council of Pierce County is a non-profit organization that promotes the highest possible standards of service, care, and well-being for older and disabled adults through networking, education and events. | |
Accessibath 1-866-375-BATH Ebrochure | Accessibath, LLC is a service provider that performs mid-scale renovations to existing bathrooms in homes owned by people with mobility issues or functional disabilities in which a typical bathroom configuration and amenities can be challenging to use. Unlike other remodeling contractors, Accessibath specializes in creating safe, accessible bathrooms, not just performing standard cosmetic renovations. Providing a safe environment for our customers is our number one priority. | |
Graham & Graham Eldercare Consultants 1-888-217-1655 | Graham & Graham Eldercare Consultants is a no-cost resource for seniors and their families. They function much like a realtor does – helping you in your search for care solutions. | |
Hearthside Manor (253) 460-3330 | Hearthside Manor Memory Care is a 36-unit community that has been family owned and operated since 2003. Our mission has been Exceeding Expectations for Loving, Thoughtful Care and we at Caring Places Management and its communities have been working on this while providing “caring places” for seniors throughout the Pacific Northwest since 1991. We pride ourselves on our reputation for caring, thoughtful service in a homelike environment. | |
Narrows Glen (253) 564-4770 Ebrochure | At Narrows Glen, you will find a comfortable blend of style, fine dining and endless social, cultural and recreational opportunities. A full range of activities and programs are available for your personal growth and physical, mental, and emotional well-being. | |
Pegasus Lifts (253) 336-6444 | Pegasus Lifts provides newer vehicles and specially trained drivers to transport vulnerable passengers. Count on us to get you or your patient safely and comfortably to the correct destination. We are a reliable, trustworthy solution for your special needs transportation. Matching the right vehicle to the right passenger circumstances is important and contributes to our efficiency and dependability. | |
Puget Sound Home Health and Hospice (253) 581-9410 Ebrochure | Puget Sound Home Health and Hospice is committed to providing comfort, compassion, and care to those we serve. Whether at home or in a facility, we hope to enhance the quality of life for your loved one. | |
Rahman Home Sales (253) 503-9377 | Rahman Home Sales is the eXperience you want from Start to SOLD. We've been specializing in senior home sale services since 2007. Our Realtor, Beth, has been purchasing homes since 1996 and has helped sellers facing a variety of situations, including: divorce, probate, foreclosure, short sale, squatters, evictions, hoarding, and downsizing. She is engaged in providing superior services to each client and her goal is to provide complete and accurate information, enabling sellers to make decisions that best fit their unique situation. | |
Visiting Angels 800-365-4189 Ebrochure | Visiting Angels is a name families across the country trust to provide the best senior home care for their loved ones. We are proud to be a leading provider of elder care since 1998. Our compassionate caregivers help older adults live independently and comfortably in their own homes. The comprehensive services we offer are customized and tailored for each senior to ensure in-home care is an enjoyable experience. | |
Linda Watermeyer - Independent Bemer Distributer (253) 225-4213 Ebrochure | BEMER is about changing the way we think about our health, about challenging our understanding of the human body, and about empowering us to reach optimal physical condition. Blood flow plays a critical role in our general health. BEMER stimulates healthy muscles to improve and facilitate muscle performance. This stimulation temporarily improves local blood circulation — all in just 8 minutes twice a day! For more than 20 years, the benefits of BEMER have impacted millions of people around the world. BEMER is an FDA cleared consumer medical device that is non-invasive and easy to use. | |
When a Loved One Resists Care
Challenging Behaviors (Teepa Snow | You Tube)
Caring for the elderly: Dealing with resistance (Mayo Clinic)
What to do if your loved one resists care (choice-homecare.com)
Using the Gift of Music
Music Therapy Tips for Caregivers - Dementia Treatment (aarp.org)
Caregivers Take Note – Music as Therapy (alz.org)
The influence of caregiver singing and background music in dementia care (PubMed | nih.gov)
Virtual Connections
5 Tips for Better Virtual Connection with Your Loved One (Guideposts)
Caregiving in Uncertain Times: Finding Support & Connection (aarp.org)
Virtual Intergenerational Programs Help Fight Isolation (aarp.org)
Purpose & Responsibility
Meaningful Activities (Teepa Snow | YouTube)
Finding Meaning and Purpose in Old Age (srcarecenter.com)
9 Ways to Find Your Purpose As You Age (Psychology Today)
Greater Age Brings Greater Responsibility (Tim Challies)
Caregiver Stress
Caregiver stress: Tips for taking care of yourself (Mayo Clinic)
Caregiver stress | Office on Women's Health (womenshealth.gov)
How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout and Manage Stress (aarp.org)
When to go to the ER
10 Tips For An Effective Emergency Room Visit (Caregiver Action Network)
Next Step in Care (next step.org)
Caring for the caregiver in the emergency department (statnews.com)
Involving the Whole Family
Family Caregiving (HelpGuide.org)
How to Share Caregiving Responsibilities with Family Members (National Institute on Aging - nih.gov)
Assembling the Book and the Bag
The Emergency Medical File Every Caregiver Should Create (AgingCare.com)
Legal Checklist to Help Caregivers as Their Parents Age (aarp.org)
WashingtonLawHelp.org | Helpful information about the law in Washington (WALawHelp)
Preparing for an Emergency as a Family Caregiver (aarp.org)
Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Caregivers (Family Caregiver Alliance)