Top Resources for Family Caregivers

Caregivers can lighten the load with area resources that provide helpful services

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Caring for an older family member can be daunting for working adults or retirees who have their own obligations and interests. Whether in the older adult’s home or their own home, caregivers can lighten the load with area resources that provide helpful services.

For many families, finding outside help may represent the best step in providing care at home.

Marsha Raines

“Helping an aging parent cope with multiple chronic illness or dementia is very stressful and time consuming,” said Marsha Raines, licensed master social worker, advanced professional and certified aging life care manager and president of Aging Well Rochester (www.agingwellrochester.com). “The key to successful care giving is to recognize what you can realistically do, and when it’s time to call in others to help.”

One way to facilitate seeking help is to engage a professional aging life care manager. Raines said that their training helps them accurately assess the family and older adult’s needs.

“An objective professional, skilled in family meetings, can ease the tensions associated with a care plan decision,” Raines said. “Aging life care managers know how to identify and clarify the issues, allows each person to be heard, and make a difficult conversation much less painful.”

She added that these plans may include a home safety evaluation, creating a roadmap for local home care assistance and monitoring this personalized plan over time, adjusting as needs change.

Raines recommends Aging Life Care Association (https://www.aginglifecare.org), which lists certified care managers as well as Lifespan (www.lifespan-roch.org).

As a non profit, Lifespan offers many resources under one roof, along with unbiased tips, leads and referrals since the organization is not owned by a health system or insurance company.

“We don’t get paybacks from anywhere we refer people to,” said Mary Rose McBride, vice president marketing and communications at Lifespan.

Lifespan provides case management. McBride said that the organization functions like a “travel agent” for eldercare. She advises families to seek resources well before they’re needed so they know what is available and how these resources can help rather than waiting until a crisis occurs.

Lifespan also offers respite care for 24/7 caregivers so they can get a few hours’ break. Taking time to rest, go shopping, or run errands. The organization can also accompany an older adult on a doctor’s visit and help with asking questions and updating the caregiver.

Another type of resource McBride recommends is businesses that bring services to older adults’ homes, like medical care or hair dressing. For those who lack transportation or are frail, receiving care at home can be easier. It also helps caregivers manage fewer appointments.

Alyssa Ziolko

Alyssa Ziolko, certified personal trainer, licensed physical therapist assistant and owner of A to Z Personal Wellness in Fairport, provides in-home personal training to help older adults “maintain their independence and a high quality of life,” she said. “They want to age in place, so we work on strength and balance exercises to keep them strong enough to do what they need and want to do.”

Working at home helps her identify obstacles to independence at home and help people better navigate their homes. She uses what people have in their homes, so they can perform exercises between visits and brings along a few pieces of equipment as well.

“For people who live alone or when people who live with the caregiver and the daughter’s out of town, it’s another pair of eyes on them,” Ziolko said.

Oftentimes, her services help people who have deconditioned after an injury or illness. Insurance covers only a limited number of weeks of physical therapy, even though many people could still improve with further assistance.

“It’s never too late to improve strength or balance or even just start exercising,” Ziolko said.

County offices for the aging provide many resources, including caregiver counseling, resource lists and referrals and respite care. Sometimes, services are subsidized to help families cover costs. One of the services offered by Ontario County Office for the Aging is Silver Connect, an adult day program for respite.

Triciajean Jones

Triciajean Jones, director of Ontario County Office for the Aging, listed financial management workshops, caregiver communication training, home delivered meals, congregant meal sites and more as services available in the county.

“I don’t think enough people take advantage of the respite program where someone can come in and do light housekeeping,” Jones said. “Sometimes, those chores get to be a lot when you’re a caregiver. Having someone help lifts some of the pressure so you can enjoy being with the person you’re caring for. Caregivers have so much stress that this can make it a place they can enjoy each other.”

Everyday Hands (www.everydayhandshelp.com) in the greater Rochester area, provides transportation, support during and after doctor’s appointments, companionship, light housekeeping, laundry, changing linens and pet care.

Lauren Goetz

Lauren Goetz, owner of Everyday Hands, said that her company’s unofficial tagline is “stunt doubles for daughters and daughters-in-law.”

“I feel people should spend time with their parents enjoying them and not just doing things for them,” Goetz said. “People can start to resent their parents. I think that if we can eliminate some of that, they can enjoy their last years with their parents. Otherwise, it’s ‘I’ve got to go by Mom’s and do a bunch of stuff for her’ rather than spending time with her.”