Helping You Work Well with Family Caregivers

The Caregiving Years: Appropriate Referrals Along the Journey Family caregivers rely on you to lead them to the services that can help their aging relative-and themselves. We've developed ideas on appropriate referrals you can make for family caregivers, based on the current stage. You also can help them prepare for the next stage by describing the type of services they will need in the next stage. Read The Caregiving Years: Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey Stage I: "The Expectant Caregiver" --Has a growing concern that an aging relative will need more and more assistance and time. --Concerned because of the relative's age, past and present medical condition, and current living condition. Your Goal: To help prepare the family caregiver for the future needs of the care recipient. When an "expectant caregiver" contacts you, to which services, organizations and professionals can you refer her? 1. An eldercare attorney. 2. A financial planner. 3. Community services, such as home health agencies, retirement communities, assisted living centers, adult day services, nursing homes. Stage II: "The Freshman Caregiver" Profile: --Involved in caring for an aging relative for six months to 18 months. --Duties range from errand-running and bill-paying to hands-on care. Your Goal: To ensure the family caregiver has the knowledge and skills needed to provide the hands-on care. When a "freshman caregiver" contacts you, to which organizations, services and professionals should you refer her? 1. The local branches or chapters of national organizations such as The Arthritis Foundation, the Alzheimer's Association, The Cancer Society to learn about the care recipient's illness or diagnosis. 2. Training materials, such as health care videos, manuals or books. 3. Support groups--online or in your community. 4. Respite services through local agencies, churches, senior centers. 5. Community services such as Meals on Wheels, home care agencies and day care centers, to name just a few. The Area Agency on Aging is a good place for family members to learn about community services. Stage III: "The Entrenched Caregiver" Profile: --A family caregiver for two to five years. --Constant involvement, most likely daily, as a caregiver. --May wonder, how much longer can she live this way? --Mood vacillates-is sometimes upbeat-she's proud she's been able to provide such wonderful care and make decisions that support her care recipient's best wishes--and sometimes melancholy--why her? --Mourns the loss of her care recipient's abilities and functions and often longs for the days before caregiving. --Is very tired. Your Goal: To keep the family caregiver refreshed and rested so she can continue in her role as family caregiver as long as she feels appropriate. When an "entrenched caregiver" contacts you, to which organizations, services or professionals should you refer her? 1. Respite services, including in-home respite and short-term respite stays in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. 2. Online and community support groups. 3. Organizations and associations that provide information about the care recipient's illness and disability, so the family caregiver is aware of the next phase of the care recipient's disability. Stage IV: "The Pragmatic Caregiver" --A "seasoned" caregiver for more than five years. --Seems doubtful of any advice given by health care professionals, especially the "young ones". --Finds humor in situations that you may find offensive. Your Goal: To help the caregiver enjoy the present relationship with the care recipient, while pointing her toward her own future. When a "pragmatic caregiver" contacts you, to which organizations, services and professionals should you refer her? 1. Community colleges that offer adult education classes. 2. Agencies and organizations that sponsor activities for the elderly and their caregivers (or start your own!). 3. Library, to browse the bookshelves, check out videos, and explore their interests. 4. Self-help books that offer insights into the power of forgiveness, managing difficult situations or making the most of painful situations. Stage V: "The Transitioning Caregiver" Profile: --A multi-year caregiver --Experiencing a change in role of caregiver (the care recipient has died or been recently placed in a nursing home) or a change is on the horizon (the care recipient is dying or about to be placed in a nursing home). Your Goal: To provide the support mechanisms the family caregiver needs to successfully transition from her caregiving role and through a mourning/grieving period. When a "transitioning caregiver" contacts you, to which organizations, services and professionals should you refer her? 1. A bereavement or grief support group. 2. A professional counselor familiar with life transitions and the mourning process. VI: "The Godspeed Caregiver" Profile: --The role of caregiver ended more than two years ago. --Is compelled to make a difference in the lives of other caregivers. Your Goal: To grow the family caregiver into a mentor and leader for other family caregivers. When a "Godspeed caregiver" contacts, to which organizations, agencies and professionals should you refer her? 1. Organizations that need assistance providing support to family caregivers. 2. Agencies in need of support group facilitators and leaders. 3. Organizations in need of speakers well-versed in the family caregiver experience. Based on the manual, The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey, a Manual for Health Care Professionals by Denise M. Brown. The manual explains the concept; offers ways health care professionals can implement it to foster better relationships with family caregivers; and includes common stumbles made by health care professionals and how to steady them. Posters, perfect for display in offices and waiting rooms, are also available for purchase. Tell a friend about this article:

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