~ SharingStore.com, a classifieds site for previously-owned caregiving supplies, equipment and devices, now includes a category for caregiving volunteers ~

~ Former family caregivers can place a free ad to volunteer ~

(Chicago, IL) January 13, 2012—National Alliance for Caregiving estimates that 66 million persons provide care for family members with chronic illnesses, diseases and injuries. By 2030, 72 million US adults will be 65 years and older and may need care from their family members.

But who will help these family caregivers?

The caregiving experience is lonely, isolating, demanding and relentless.

According to Caregiving.com’s 2010 annual survey of family caregivers:

—66% of respondents provide 20 or more hours of care to a family member per week;
—47% of respondents expect their caregiving experience to last another 10 years;
—only 55% of respondents are happy with services in their area;
—only 15% of respondents receive help from other family members several times a week (52% of respondents do not have any help from other family members)
—66% of respondents say they have less than eight hours per week for themselves;
—33% say the worst time they experienced in their caregiving role was when they were exhausted because they hadn’t been able to take a break;
—65% say the most difficult part of caregiving is managing their emotions (guilt, anger, grief);
—only 33% of respondents say they adequately take care of their emotional, physical, dental and medical needs.

When parents raise children, they hire a teen-ager to babysit so they can get out of the house and take a break. There’s no such easy fix to get a break for those who care for family members with chronic illnesses and diseases. Medicare does not have a benefit which provides a break for family caregivers until a family member receives Hospice benefits. Communities, struggling with their own financial crises, continue to cut funding for programs which could help, like adult day centers and Meals on Wheels. The federally-funded National Family Caregiver Support Program only provided 73,000 U.S. family caregivers with a temporary break in FY 2008. The funding for the program in 2008 was $153,439,000.

Without help, family caregivers become stressed and burnt-out. (Wanna hear what it’s like to be a burnt-out family caregiver who doesn’t have help? Go here to listen to our recent talk show with Kristin, who cares for a family friend. Or, read Amy’s blog here.) And, without family caregivers, who in the world helps out all those who need help?

The simple no-cost solution to help family caregivers? Recruit former family caregivers to volunteer to help today’s family caregivers.

Former family caregivers have the skills, knowledge, tricks and tips that a family caregiver needs. Former family caregivers can volunteer to help by providing respite care (staying with the caree* so the family caregiver gets a break). Or by calling the family caregiver once a week just to check in. Or by calling the caree so the family caregiver can take a few moments to himself/herself. Or, for the long-distance family caregiver, by visiting the caree once a week.

SharingStore.com, a classifieds site for previously-owned caregiving supplies, equipment and devices, now features a category for caregiving volunteers.

If you’re a former family caregiver who would like to volunteer, either in person, over the phone or via email, simply place a free ad on SharingStore.com. Just go here to learn more and to place your ad.

If you’re a family caregiver looking for a volunteer, simply stop by SharingStore.com and search for volunteers in your area or your caree’s area. It’s free to find and connect with a volunteer. Go here to learn more. And, check back on SharingStore.com regularly; we’ll be working to recruit volunteers ready to help you. (We only connect you with possible volunteers; you’ll want to do your due diligence on any volunteer you consider to ensure a good match.)

*Caree refers to the family member or friend receiving care.

About Caregiving.com
Caregiving.com features the blogs of family caregivers, weekly words of comforts, free webinars and online support groups. Visitors also can join the site’s Caregiving Happiness Project, which looks to determine if small, daily changes can add happiness during a difficult time in life. A campaign featuring the stories of former family caregivers called You’ll Be Okay debuted on the site in November 2010.

About SharingStore.com
SharingStore.com is a classifieds section for caregiving supplies, devices, equipment and volunteers. When a caregiving situation changes or ends, family members often have supplies, equipment and devices no longer needed. Some can be donated to local churches and social service agencies. Unfortunately, some just get tossed or stored away. At SharingStore.com, family members can list those supplies, equipment and devices so that current family caregivers can purchase them at a discount (or, if the seller chooses, for free). An ad for equipment, supplies, devices, books and DVDs costs $5 for 30 days.

And, when caregiving ends, these former family caregivers are left with great skills and information which can be such a big help to current family caregivers. These former family caregivers now can become volunteers to help out today’s family caregivers. An ad to volunteer is free.

About Denise M. Brown
Brown, who launched Caregiving.com in 1996, is a nationally respected certified life coach, consultant, and presenter on caregiving issues. She is the author of four books about caregiving, including “The Caregiving Years: Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey,” a nationally recognized handbook for caregivers, and “Take Comfort, Reflections of Hope for Caregivers.” She hosts an Internet talk show, Your Caregiving Journey, on BlogTalkRadio.com. Her insights about the family caregiver experience have been featured in Time magazine, Chicago Tribune and The Wall Street Journal. She also operates AfterGiving.com, which helps persons transition to life after caregiving, and SharingStore.com, a classifieds site for caregiving supplies and equipment.

Media Contact:
Denise M. Brown
Owner, Caregiving.com and SharingStore.com
773-343-6341, denise@caregiving.com

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