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New Guide Available For Caregivers |
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Posted by Westchester.com
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Wednesday, 13 February 2008 |
 White Plains, NY - Caring for an elderly person can be a demanding job. So to support caregivers in their work, Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) announced the publication of a new, free guide that is filled with practical advice to help them meet their many responsibilities.
“A Guide for Caregivers: What You Need to Know” has 23 pages of advice on topics such as how to balance work and caregiving, challenges and frustrations caregivers face, how to cope with stress, how to talk to health-care professionals about your loved one and what to do when your loved one resists care.
The guide also presents information on why caregivers must take care of their own physical and mental well-being and gives tips on how to do so. Other chapters discuss ways to make homes safe for the elderly and “long-distance” caregiving, which occurs when, say, a parent and adult child, live in different states.
Commissioner Mae Carpenter said society must recognize the contributions caregivers make.
“The value placed on caregiving by family and friends exceeds the costs of the total Medicaid budget, the total Medicare budget and profits from large corporations like Wal-Mart and ExxonMobil,” Carpenter said. “Family and friends provide over 80% of the care to the elderly in order to help them remain in their homes.
“It is in the best interests of all that every effort is made to lighten the burdens of caregiving through information and assistance when needed,” Carpenter said. “It is also the right thing to do.”
Also available is DSPS’ “A Guide for Caregiver: Respite Services and Caregiver Support Groups.” Both are available on the DSPS Web site at www.westchestergov.com/seniors.
For more information, contact Mary Edgar-Hererra, administrator of DSPS’ Family Caregiver Support Program at (914) 245-9167.
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