YOU CAN ONLY CARE FOR OTHERS IF YOU TAKE CARE OF YOU—
As the population and costs of caring for older adults continues to rise, so does the need for families to get involved and to provide care for them. Caregivers need to obtain tools and support in order to have a positive outlook, minimize stress, and thus avoid possible use of verbal or physical abuse to the person in their care.
Here are some resources offered by the Kenneth Young Center (847-524-8800, ext. 168) that may help. If you don’t live in this area, check your own township to see what programs they offer.
The program is designed to educate, provide support and develop resources that the families can tap into when helping a family member with dementia or other medical conditions.
As a Caregiver, you encounter a variety of issues including health conditions, behaviors, and relationships. So, the program offers a wide array of resources and services to EMPOWER you in dealing with your specific situation. Some are:
Educational programs like “Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” “Understanding and Communicating with people with Memory Loss,” “Making sense of Memory Loss,” and many others.
Provide support, tips and counseling to cope with your caregiving responsibilities. Help you navigate the options as you plan for the future.
Respite – to provide a much-needed break for the caregiver so that they can take care of themselves, spend time with their family, etc.
Support groups to meet with people who understand your situation, can support you, and may even provide an insight in how they have dealt with a similar situation.
Information about the assistive devices and adaptive technology that can make it easier to manage your relative’s impairments.
Power of Positive thinking to help you combat the stress of caregiving responsibilities. How to incorporate humor and spirituality in your life to deal with the challenges you face and the losses you experience.
If you or someone you know is being abused, seek help today. In an emergency, please dial 911. For all other help, please call: Illinois Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline 877 TO END DV (877-863-6338), 877-863-6339 TTY