How To Focus When Life Is Not

• Define Terms• Identify Key Problem Areas for Caregivers• Options in Retirement Living• Tools For The Future

Objectives of Presentation

What is caregiving?

• Providing care for another person

• Part Time or Full Time • Temporarily or

Permanently• Family or Friend

Examples of Care-Receivers

• Parents• Friends• Neighbors• Children• Relatives

The Caregiver Profile

• Over half of all caregivers are employed full time• Almost one in five caregivers provide either

“constant care” or 40+ hours per week• More than half of employed caregivers modify work

schedule• One-fifth of caregivers quit their jobs

Key Problems For Caregivers

• Stress• Time Management• Legal/Financial• Health• Support

Stress Management

• Eat 3 balanced meals per day (don’t forget breakfast!)

• Exercise at least 4 times a week

• Give yourself 30 minutes a day

• Get enough sleep

Now That We Know How...

• “Yeah, right! Like I could actually find TIME to do those four things on top of everything else!”

Advantages of Time Management

• Gives you a feeling of control

• Reduces your stress• Enables you to meet

your goals

Do’s & Don’t of Time Management

Do’s• Make Lists• Combine Activities• Tackle Hard Stuff

First• Slow Down

Don’ts•Over-commit•Allow interruptions•Be a perfectionist•Start a second thing without finishing the first

Legal & Financial Issues

• One of the touchiest, most sensitive issues

• One of the most important

Ask The Elder...

• Where are documents located?• Do you have a legal will?• Who is legally appointed to represent you if you

can’t make decisions?• Do you have a lawyer/financial advisor?• What types of insurance policies do you have?

Dealing with Health Issues

• Identify all health care professionals & coordinate their care

• Ask doctors questions• Take good notes• Evaluate doctors

Types of Support

• Family Member Support• Friend/Neighbor Support• Third Party Support– Geriatric Care Management

– Home Care

– Supportive Tools & Organizations• Retirement Communities

Geriatric Care Management

• Provide professional evaluation, by a thoroughly experienced & trained social worker, of individual and family needs & wants in the comfort of home.

• Monitoring of services, i.e. long term care

Geriatric Care Management

• Form thorough knowledge of community resources and the industry, can identify the best services/facilities to meet those needs.

• Counseling and education for family as well as client

Questions to Ask Home Care

• Is there a free assessment performed by an RN, an LPN, or a social worker, that is used to develop a “care plan”?

• Does the agency require thorough background checks on staff and provide insurance as well as bonding?

• What experience and training do they require their staff to have prior to working with a client?

St. Andrew’s Offers...

• Medication Reminders• Nursing Care• Home Repair• In-Home Massage Therapy• Personal Care Assistance• Meal Preparation• Housekeeping & Ironing• Errand & Escort Service• Client & Family Education

Why do people move to retirement communities?

• Lifestyle choice• Planning ahead• Safety / security• Convenience• Unable to maintain home

When choosing a facility, ask...

• What levels of care do you provide?• What does price include?• What are staffing ratios?• How is room paid for?• What extra services are available?• Is there a waiting list?

Independent Living

• Provides some meals, transportation• Security• Residents are typically 60 and older• Leisure opportunities• Some have visiting social workers, doctors, or

nurses• Home Services still available

Assisted Living

• Provides 3 meals per day• Security• Help with medication management, personal care,

with 24 hour nursing assistance• Leisure opportunities• Transportation• Home Services still available

Skilled Nursing Facility

• Provides 24 hour skilled care (only 5% need this level of care)

• 3 meals per day• if need more than 30 minutes of personal care • Medicare pays for rehabilitation• Medicaid beds only available here• Home Services available

Supportive Tools & Organizations

• Older Adult Resource Guide

• Caregiver Quicksource Guide

• Local Community Organizations

For More Information Contact

St. Andrew’s At-Home Services(314) 726-5766

St. Andrew’s At-Home Services is a division of St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors, a not-for-profit

Episcopal-Presbyterian organization serving older adults and their families since 1961.