Different faces of Caregiving

 

 

 

 

 

Which is the face of a caregiver? Choose any one or more. Which did you choose? Sylvia? Elaine? Stacey? Joyce? Jeremy? Connie? or Katie?

All of these attended a workshop in late January sponsored by the Roanoke area Local Office on Aging and facilitated by Russell Schiavone, an AARP VA Community Ambassador and one of our “go to” presenters of the Prepare to Care seminar.

If you chose one or all of the seven you are correct. When you look in the mirror, do you see a caregiver? The odds are you may, and if not now, perhaps later be a caregiver. How do we prepare and learn how to cope with what may be facing us? Many of us put off thinking about it as if we can avoid any future unpleasantness. All of those pictured above have been or are caregivers, some deep in the throes for a long time. One of the people pictured has been a caregiver since she was seventeen years old. Others of the younger faces are new to the caregiver role. One couple is already taking care of one of their mothers while facing the imminent need to care for the other mother of the couple. They came to the presentation somewhat panicked about where to turn for the support they know they are going to need.

Russell Schiavone’s Prepare to Care presentation focused on a five-step plan to face the future.

1. First is to start the conversation
2. Form your team
3. Make a plan
4. Find support
5. Care for Yourself

Those attending the session were most interested in finding support. It is very clear that the Local Office on Aging, the facility in which the session occurred, is a great place to start asking questions about services available. Russell underscored the plethora of information available on the AARP website. See direct links below.

For information about tools and resources available, visit aarp.org/caregiving

To connect with others and perhaps share your story, check out aarp.org/iheartcaregivers

To find information about what AARP is doing on your behalf, visit aarp.org/SupportCaregivers