Caregivers Don’t Have to Do It Alone |
Caring for an aging parent, spouse or loved one can become overwhelming. A free Brandon support group this Thursday is one doorway into services many local families may not realize are available. |
By Ralph
For many families, becoming a caregiver doesn't begin with a plan.
A parent starts having trouble remembering things.
A spouse can no longer safely be left alone.
Someone needs help with meals, medications, transportation or everyday tasks that once seemed routine.
And suddenly, a husband, wife, son or daughter has another role: Caregiver.
This Thursday, Hillsborough County is bringing caregivers together in Brandon for a free support-group meeting—and the subject couldn't be more practical. A Free Meeting in Brandon
The county's next Caregiver Support Group meets Thursday, Sept. 24 at the Bloomingdale Senior Center, 3940 Canoga Park Drive in Brandon.
This month's topic is Adult Day Services—programs designed to support older adults who need additional supervision or assistance while also giving family caregivers some relief.
The county's current caregiver-resource page lists the Bloomingdale sessions as beginning at 10 a.m.
The meeting is free. Caregivers can RSVP by emailing SingletonR@hcfl.gov or texting (813) 853-1002.
But the support group is only part of the story. What Exactly Is Adult Day Care?
For a family caregiver who's never used it, “adult day services” may be unfamiliar.
Hillsborough County operates programs for residents 60 and older who have decreased physical, mental or social functioning. The objective is to help older residents remain in their homes as long as reasonably possible while providing additional support during the day.
Services can include:
The county operates a Bloomingdale Adult Day Care Center at the same 3940 Canoga Park Drive location in Brandon. Fees are charged on a sliding scale based on income.
Families can call Hillsborough County Aging Services at (813) 272-5250 to find out whether a loved one qualifies. A brief telephone assessment may be required. Help Can Also Come to the Home
For some families, getting a loved one to a day program isn't the biggest problem.
It's managing everything at home.
Hillsborough County also provides in-home services for eligible adults over 60 who are functionally impaired and need assistance with everyday activities. Depending on an individual's assessment, help can include caregiver respite, companionship, home-delivered meals, homemaking assistance, personal care and emergency-alert equipment.
The county makes an important distinction: these services are not medical care.
Eligibility and the amount of assistance provided are determined through an application and assessment process, with priority given to applicants considered most in need.
Fees are based on a sliding income scale. Sometimes the Caregiver Needs Care, Too
It's easy for caregiving to become centered entirely around the person receiving help.
Appointments need scheduling.
Meals need preparing.
Prescriptions need managing.
Someone has to make sure Mom or Dad is safe.
But the person doing all of that can become exhausted as well.
That's one reason Hillsborough County's Adult Day Services program includes caregiver support. In addition to monthly support groups, the county lists caregiver workshops, Alzheimer's training, fall-prevention programs and referrals to organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association and USF Memory Disorder Clinic among its available resources.
And the support-group subjects change throughout the year. County listings include topics ranging from Alzheimer's community resources to depression, mental-health awareness and caregiver stress. Another Brandon Resource Worth Knowing
Brandon also has the Brandon Senior Center at 612 N. Parsons Ave.
Hillsborough County says there are no membership fees for county residents age 50 and older. The center offers educational and fitness classes, computers and internet access, nutritional services and a fitness room. Meal services are available for registered participants age 60 and older.
It isn't a substitute for adult day care, but it illustrates something families sometimes discover only after they begin looking: There are more senior resources around Brandon than many of us realize. Where to Start
If you're caring for an older family member and aren't sure which program fits your situation, you don't have to figure out the entire system yourself.
Hillsborough County Aging Services can be reached at (813) 272-5250. The department provides adult day services, caregiver resources, in-home assistance, meal programs and referrals.
The county also lists the Elder Helpline among its resources for seniors and caregivers.
And if you'd rather start by simply talking with other people who understand what caregiving involves, Thursday's Brandon meeting provides that opportunity. Know Before You GoWhat: Hillsborough County Caregiver Support Group
There's no single program that makes caring for someone you love easy.
But knowing where to ask for help can make the job a little less overwhelming.
And sometimes the most important thing a caregiver can learn is that asking for help is part of caregiving, too. |
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