November is National Family
Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the nearly 90 million family caregivers
who provide countless hours of care and support to their loved ones. The theme
for National Family Caregivers Month for 2016 is “Take Care to Give Care.”
“Caregiving can be very rewarding, but is often physically
and emotionally demanding,” said Tiffany Whitmore, Program Coordinator with the
El Dorado County Family Caregiver Support Program. “Many caregivers are so busy
caring for their loved one that they neglect their own health and wellness. Studies
show, for example, that nearly 70% of caregivers don’t see their doctors as
often as they should and many have missed their own medical appointments
because they are caring for others. During Family Caregivers Month we want to
take the time to acknowledge the selfless acts of love provided by caregivers
in our County and let them know about local resources and supports.”
The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) offers two
programs, the Family Caregiver Support Program and Adult Day Services, which
can help caregivers deal with the many aspects of caregiving. These programs
work together in order to support the entire family, from caregiver to care
receiver, according to Whitmore.
The Family Caregiver Support Program provides support groups,
educational trainings, respite services, family assessments, and information
and assistance for caregivers. Adult Day Services offers supervised activities to
support and stimulate people with dementia or other chronic health issues who
cannot meet their own needs. Adult Day Services is a friendly environment with
structured exercise, nutritious meals, art and music therapies and
socialization. The program operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. in both Placerville and El Dorado Hills, with extended hours and
transportation available. Caregivers get much needed respite knowing their
loved one is safe and engaged in an individualized, person-centered program.
For more information about the Family Caregiver Support Program, call
(530) 621-6151. For more information about Adult Day Services, call (530)
621-6180 for the Placerville location or (916) 358-3560 for the El Dorado Hills
location. Information about these programs may also be found online at
www.edcgov.us/hhsa.