July 31, 2006 - Day 6 - Week 17 - Caregiver Alliance

Thank goodness for Hospice and those organizations that assist families when a family member arrives at the stage when professional care become a necessity.  We all want to assist our loved ones, but there comes a point when our abilities are no longer capable of serving the needs of someone with cancer, dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other debilitating illnesses.  My brother Jay and I recently struggled with what was best for our aging father, and we were not alone in this experience. Most of us will have to address how best to care for a parent, yet there are people, as this is being written, who can no longer care for their spouse because of the onset of illness.  This is one of the hardest challenges any human will ever face.  Sometimes it is best to let go and let others step in and help, but the agony associated with the withdrawal from a loved one is commonplace today.  Where and when to turn for support?

Sure enough there is a newsletter and an organization that can fill the void, or at the very least, provide guidance and understanding.  The Family Caregiver Alliance may be called upon to help any family deal with the next generation of elderly, and in our family, that would be me!  There will come a time, and I hope not for a very long time, when I will be unable to care for myself.  Hopefully, my own family will have read this and subscribed to UPDATE, the quarterly newsletter of the Alliance.  It can be found by going to www.caregiver.org.  Like a wise Boy Scout, we must be prepared.

In the spring of 2006 issue there are many articles worth reading if you are a caregiver or know someone who is giving care to someone, but the calendar outlining Support Group meetings was particularly helpful.  Just reading these made me feel good knowing that there is a support team out there someplace for all sorts and conditions of persons.

The Online Caregiver Support Groups

Relax and Renew Caregiver Support Group

Exploring What’s Next After the Death of a Loved One

Parkinson Support Group

Spanish Speaking Men’s Cancer Support Group – (if I joined this I could learn Spanish simultaneously)

Huntington’s Disease Support Group

Groups for People with Acquired Brain Injury

Yet, with these great support opportunities the article on Diagnosing Dementia was probably the most broadly appealing article in the newsletter.  It seems every one I know eventually must face either dementia or Alzheimer’s. The newsletter offers a good suggestion; The Institute on Aging Research at 415-750-4111 might have answers to all your questions. 

Care giving is a highly valued profession by those who need it.  We saw the worth first hand as our dad slipped from one level of well being to the next.  Education to enlightenment will make many who suffer smile; we can choose to read, learn and inwardly digest so we are all better care givers. What better time to begin than today.