You Are Not Alone!
Your personal navigator is there to help you regain your balance and get the resources you need to move forward to a new day.
Dear Caregivers,
At some time while caring for someone with this terrible disease, every caregiver will reach a point where they feel utterly alone. It may come about as your loved one enters a new stage in their condition, or after an argument you two might have had, or perhaps you simply had a bad day. You may feel isolated, at your wit’s end, and overwhelmed by the long journey ahead.
At times like these you need to remember that you are not alone! Your personal navigator is there to help you regain your balance and get the resources you need to move forward to a new day.
Some of those resources are right here, in your community. They may come in the form of training, support groups, or centers where you can bring your loved one to acquire for yourself a bit of caregiving relief. Others organizations can give you the advice you need to tackle a problem in finances or law, for instance.
Here are some examples:
Private Duty and Companion Care:
“Private Duty Care” and “Companion Care” are services intended to help your loved one to safely get through day-to-day activities such as personal care, preparing meals, housecleaning, and offering companionship. These services can also offer a break for caregivers, who can use the time to be on their own. Here is a list of recommended local private duty and companion care companies that might be useful in your caregiving journey.
Common Challenges in Caring for People with Alzheimer’s:
“Adult Day Care” centers are intended to help provide care and companionship for your loved one who needs assistance or supervision throughout the day. Adult Day Care can provide valuable respite to caregivers while encouraging socialization and engagement for your loved one. Here is a list of local adult day centers that might be useful in your caregiving journey.
Choosing an Elder Law or Finance Expert:
Sometimes having legal or financial expertise can be helpful in making important decisions. Here’s how to find and choose an Elder Law or Financial Expert.
Getting Help With Your Filing Your Income Tax Returns:
It is never too early to get organized with your finances and get ready to file your taxes. For many people this can seem to be a complicated, confusing, and daunting topic. Fortunately there are several services available for you to help you get through the maze. Here’s how to start.
Finding your Caregiving Village:
There is a lot we can all learn from each other as we endure our individual journeys as caregivers. There are some needs and feelings that are universal and learning how others manage and navigate can often be hugely comforting. Here’s how to find your “caregiving village.”
Go Local:
Broward County’s Area Agency on Aging has several programs to help caregivers of loved ones suffering from Alzhiemer’s disease. Their Powerful Tools for Caregivers program consists of six sessions, two and a half hours each, that will teach you how to use various tools to self-manage the challenges of being a caregiver. The AAA's Savvy Caregiver Program is a free, “virtual” program designed to provide caregivers with the skills, knowledge, and confidence that you need to be effective in your role. The agency is also now also offering a Caregiver Training & Support Group that meets twice monthly. You can register for it free, at this webpage.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“II want you to know that you are not alone in your being alone.”
— Stephen Fry
