JFCS recognizes National Family Caregiver Month
JFCS Senior Services will be featured as Fund-a-Need at 36th Annual Benefit
By Roni Falck, MSW • Senior Services Program Manager
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”
If you have picked up a prescription, brought over dinner, given a ride to the doctor, taken care of an errand, or made decisions big or small on behalf of a senior, you are a caregiver. Caregiving provides many joys, and at the same time, can be a stressor. JFCS Senior Services places a strong emphasis on support for family caregivers.
- Knowing that caregiving can take a toll on caregivers, our Powerful Tools for Caregivers class is offered quarterly and provides caregivers with self-care tools to ensure their own care and health is maintained while caregiving.
- A senior’s needs can evolve on their own timeline. Care Plan Consultations are available for family caregivers to identify next steps when loved ones face transition points. Families meet with our trained staff to share all the worries, uncertainties and joys swirling in their heads. Following the Consultation, families receive a personalized action plan that highlights options for next steps.
- Caregivers can also feel a strong sense of isolation. Our Memory Café meets twice a month for an opportunity for people with memory loss and their caregivers to come together with others to socialize, connect, and simply have a good day together.
- Other services, including Garber Transportation, Shopping and Accompanied Transportation, lessen the time commitment needed to ensure loved ones can get to appointments, take care of errands, and get where they need to go.
- The “Keeping the Spirit Alive” Caregivers Conference explores education and tools for caregivers supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
We know that the more supported a family caregiver is, the longer they are able to maintain that role. Their often unacknowledged contribution provides immeasurable support to the individual senior, larger family unit, and society as a whole.
All of our Senior Services programs will be highlighted for the Fund-a-Need at JFCS’ 36th Annual Benefit on Saturday, Dec. 7 – we hope to see you there! Chances are the person you are standing next to at the Benefit has served as a family caregiver. To all the caregivers out there, thank you.