Chances
are you or somebody you know is taking care of an elderly loved
one.
It can be overwhelming, frustrating, and most of the time
the caregiver is not prepared for this enormous task, or the
emotions that go along with it.
It's important for caregivers to realize that they're not
alone, and help is available. Salt Lake County Aging Services
has started a caregiver support program to help people prepare
and deal with aging and demented loved ones.
Every person in this room has something in common -- they're
tired, they're worried, and they wish their situation would
just go away. They also feel guilty for feeling that way.
This is Salt Lake County's Caregiver Support class.
Today's topic: recognizing and dealing with dimentia and
Alzheimer's in loved ones.
These folks had a lot of questions and very few answers.
That's why they're here -- for infomation, support, options
and ideas.
"It gets real frustrating because it's my mother and
lately sometimes she even calls me mother," says Jean
Wawrzyniak.
Most of these people didn't plan for this role -- it just
happened, and they're realizing making good decisions during
a bad time isn't easy.
"I'm struggling with the legality. I'm also struggling
with the guilt, and things like patience and getting a break
once in a while from caretaking," says Julie Hansen.
Instructor Faylene Weinman says that break is crucial to a
caregiver's own health and sanity.
"Some people say, 'Well, I haven't been away from my
mom in 10 years. I haven't had a vacation.' Well, we just
can't allow that. You need to take care of yourself even if
it's five or 10 minutes a day to give yourself time for yourself,"
says Faylene Weinman with the Caregiver Support Program.
She says the stress alone can take its toll, and while you
become so focused on caring for someone else, you forget about
your own needs.
Right now one in four households has a caregiver involved.
Another class will be conducted next week, and then a whole
new series in the month of December at the University of Phoenix.
