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Shelley Osterloh ReportingAn estimated 173-thousand Utahns care for loved ones who are aging, have a disability, chronic disease or mental illness. The challenges may sometimes be overwhelming, but many care-givers struggle on without any outside help. The State has started a campaign to help caregivers connect with community resources so they don't burn out.
Though they're in a company conference room, the topic under discussion is very personal. Some of these people in attendance care for a relative who battles mental illness. Among them is Clint Hunter, an executive at the Waxie Cleaning Products Company. He frequently opens his doors for meetings of NAMI -- the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
Because of the stigma of mental illness, many caregivers are not comfortable talking with the people they normally would about their difficulties. He and other caregivers say the NAMI support group and family to family education program have helped them enormously.
Clint Hunter: "It helps you to know what your loved one is feeling and seeing the world. When I got done with that course the first time around, I went home, and I hugged my son and I told him that I loved him and that he might be one of the strongest people I've ever known."
Brad Bangerter: "It's helped me have a better understanding of what this illness is and by having that understanding its helped me understand how I can take care of myself, how I can take care of the rest of my family and how I can take care of my ill relative."
Chandra Fenwick: "Like you this class saved my life as well, it changed my life too."
The Utah Department of Human Services has a new campaign to encourage caregivers to take advantage of programs to help avoid care-giver burnout.
Voice from Commercial: "And whether your care is around the clock or once a week, help is closer than you think."
Donna Russell, Utah Department of Human Services: "We think if they knew all of the resources available to them they could stay in that care-giving role longer."
So whether you care for someone who is aging and needs meals delivered, someone with a physical disability who need transportation, or your loved one has a mental illness and you need to talk or learn from others, the State of Utah wants to help caregivers help the one they care for.
There are a couple of ways you can find out about Care-giving resources in your community. You can call 211 and talk to a person about your needs, or log on to the U-Care web site.
