Article by Giuliana Valencia, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging
(Posted 2022 June)
Often, family and friends who are long-distance caregivers will wonder if a loved one needs help at home. At times, it is clear when help is needed, especially if there is a new illness or an accident, but how do you really know when assistance is needed if you are not living with your loved one? According to the report, Caregiving in the U.S. 2020, from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, “approximately 41.8 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the prior 12 months.” In addition, the report states that caregivers disclosed that the “main problems or illness that caused their loved ones to need care were “old age (16 percent), mobility issues (12 percent), and Alzheimer’s or dementia (11 percent).”
The National Institute on Aging concludes that a phone call is not always the most effective way to tell whether a person needs help handling daily activities. It is important to assess whether your loved one can manage self-care or maintain the home environment. It is hard to notice changes in behavior from afar. Hence, when visiting your loved one, assess whether there is any memory loss, such as getting lost in familiar places or not being able to follow instructions. Is your loved one asking the same question over and over? Have they lost weight? Do they have difficulty cooking? Have they lost their taste or smell? Are they forgetting to cook or leaving the stove on? If you are noticing any of these changes in behavior, and you are wondering about what to do or where to get help, the Aging, Disability, and Caregiver Resource (ADCR) line can help you navigate your situation, so you and your loved one can be connected to appropriate resources.
To learn more about our family caregiver support programs and access our ADCR line, call at 703-324-7948.
Caring for a Loved One with Cancer-Caregiver Webinar
In this webinar, participants will learn how to be supportive when a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, how to deal with the diagnosis, side effects, treatments, end-of-life care, and more. As a family caregiver, it is important to understand what your role is, and how to be the most supportive. Learn how to share your concerns, provide care when you live far away, share diagnosis with family, children, and friends, and discover resources for your loved one and yourself.
This webinar will be presented by Durene LeFlouria, LCSW, Oncology Clinical Therapist; and Rebecca DiPatri, RN, BSN, OCN Oncology Nurse Navigator, from Inova Life with Cancer. Join us on Wednesday, June 15, from noon-1 p.m. Online Registration: https://bit.ly/CAREWEB1 or call 703-324-2019.
Intergenerational Kundalini Yoga - Caregiver Workshop
When our lungs and circulation are in good shape, we experience more energy. In this one-hour Kundalini Yoga class for the whole family, we will support our respiratory systems and invite a sense of emotional calmness with a gentle heart-centered meditation. No prior yoga experience is necessary.
This workshop aims to bring families of all ages and generations together, and it will be facilitated by Monique Derfuss, who is a gong practitioner, KRI-Certified Kundalini Yoga instructor, and President, SoundWellness, LLC. Join us on Saturday, June 18, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Online Registration: https://bit.ly/StayingWell-123 or call 703-324-2019.
From Me to You - Intergenerational Drama Workshop
From Me to You class uses drama games and the craft of personal narrative storytelling to create shared moments of fun, discovery, and connections within your multigenerational family of caregivers.
This workshop will be facilitated by Haley Murphy, artistic director, and founder of Dodgeball Theatre. Join us on Saturday, June 25, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Online Registration: https://bit.ly/StayingWell-123 or call 703-324-2019.
Caregiver Support Group
The Fairfax Adult Day Health Centers invite you to join their family caregiver support groups every 3rd Tuesday of the month, from 10:30 a.m.-noon. In June, their topic will be on picking your battles. If you wish to attend, please sign onto the Zoom Meeting: https://bit.ly/ZoomCaregiverSupport.
Do Your Home and Your Health a Favor
Each year Rebuilding Together checks more than 100 homes for health and safety hazards. Their new 15-minute video https://bit.ly/RTHealthandSafety explains how any homeowner can check their home for the most common hazards along with tips for low-cost solutions. Rebuilding Together makes critical home repairs and accessibility modifications at no charge for homeowners in need. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/RebuildingTogether2 or call 703-528-1999.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).