Taking Care of SoMEone Else!Options for Long Term Care

USC Family Caregiver Support Center

Presented by:Donna Benton, Ph.D.

http://fcscgero.orgToll free: 855-USC-6060 855-872-6060

Adapted from Family Caregiver Alliance, Beth Logan, MSW, 2002

OBJECTIVES

√ Provide some insight to the caregiving dynamic

√ Provide tips on finding services in your community

ASK YOURSELF

Are PATIENCE, LOVE & HUMOR waning?

Demands of Family Caregiving

• Caregiving can be “loving” or rewarding”

• Caregiving can also be frustrating, exhausting, overwhelming, confusing

• Caregivers report their health is poor to fair

• Caregivers have higher incidences of stress, depression, anxiety

Step One Evaluate

• Evaluate whether your parent needs constant supervision or assistance throughout the day and how this might be provided.

• Determine which activities of daily living (such as eating, bathing, toileting) your parent can do independently.

• Determine your comfort level for providing personal care such as bathing or changing an adult incontinence pad.

• Evaluate your own health and physical abilities to help decide if you are able to provide care for your parent.

Step Two

• Have a family meeting– Use an agenda– Involve everyone who helps– Take notes on decisions and actions– Consider a facilitator

Step Three

• Explore the availability of services such as in-home care, adult day services, meal delivery, a friendly visitor program,

• Investigate long-term arrangements and options if living with your parent will not work or is not your choice

Options for Living

• Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) or Villages

• Retirement Community• Residential Care Facility/Board and Care• Assisted Living Facility• Skilled Nursing• PACE• Continuing Care Retirement Community• Veteran Community

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RESOURCES• Eldercare Locator: www.eldercare.org

• Administration on Aging: www.aoa.gov

• Family Caregiver Alliance National Center on Caregiving: www.caregiver.org

• 5 Wishes-Aging with Dignity: www.agingwithdignity.org

• AARP: www.aarp.org

• National Family Caregiver Association: www.nfcacares.org

• Well Spouse Foundation: www.wellspouse@aol.com

• National Council on the Aging: www.ncoa.org

FIND SUPPORT FOR YOURSELF

CLASSES AND GROUPS

• Powerful Tools • Legal Workshops • Support Groups• Seminars & Events• Call a friend…

Contact USC FCSC

• USC Family Caregiver Support Center– Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center– Family Caregiver Support Program– Work Family Coalition – Older Adult Counseling Center– USC Gerontology Program

• 855-872-6060

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS