Caregivers: Quietly making life better
November is a great time to put the spotlight on caregiving, given we will be celebrating what we are thankful for this month.
Caregivers are unsung heroes. They quietly make life better for persons who are struggling, be it short-term surgery recovery or long-term chronic conditions. Caregivers do this willingly, lovingly and often while sacrificing their own health, finances and well-being.
They bring over meals, grocery shop, take care of household chores, help with bathing, dressing, medications, wound care, medical appointments and more. Many work outside the home, and some have families and children of their own to care for.
Chances are you know a caregiver and/or have been one. According to the 2015 Caregiving in the US study, it is estimated that 43.5 million adults are providing unpaid care to someone they know. It’s a big job. According to the study, caregivers on average spend 24.4 hours a week providing care with nearly a quarter providing 41 or more hours of care a week. The costs to our community would be astronomical if we had to pay for the care these caregivers unselfishly give.
We can all be grateful that caregivers do what they do. More importantly, we need to recognize that they need our help to continue.
The Brown County Caregiver Coalition is a group of individuals, area businesses and agencies that recognize the need to provide caregiver support. They do this through education for caregivers and the general public, connecting people to resources, and in looking for creative ways to support caregivers in our community. Coalition members are: Aging & Disability Resource Center of Brown County, Aspiro, The Astor House, BAKA Enterprises, Company Magazine, Curative Connections, Golden Living, Humana, Interim Healthcare, Moraine Ridge Senior Living, Patient Pines, Rock’N W Ranch, UW-Extension, Bev Bartlett and Marie Franklin.
All too often caregivers are so busy taking care of others that they neglect their needs. Recently, the coalition sponsored an event featuring Paul Wesselman, “The Ripples Guy,” to provide an evening of fun, relaxation and tips on how caregivers can recognize their limits to better care for themselves and continue to care for others. Caregivers were asked, “What are the most important issues you are facing?” They cited fatigue, dealing with their loved ones (and their own) depression and isolation, lack of knowledge of chronic conditions and resources to deal with them. Highest on the list, however was the need for respite, time for themselves.
During November the Brown County Caregiver Coalition is sponsoring Coffee & Conversation for Caregivers. These are informal gatherings for caregivers to share, support, network and socialize with each other. The final one of the month is from 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 30 at SS Edward & Isidore Church, 3667 Flintville Rd., Suamico.
We encourage others to help a caregiver they know attend by caring for their loved one while they do.
If you know a caregiver, please offer to help them. If you are a caregiver, acknowledge the help you need. Brown County is rich in resources. We encourage caregivers to contact the ADRC to learn how to tap into them.
Laurie Ropson is the quality assurance outreach coordinator for the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Brown County. Contact her at Ropson_lr@co.brown.wi.us or (920) 448-6458.