November is National Family Caregiver Month

Rosalynn Carter said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers”.

America's family caregivers are family, friends, partners, and neighbors. Each caregiver’s journey is unique, but universally, they could use a word of support. If you know of someone caring for a loved one, please take a moment to acknowledge them for all they do.

Upcoming caregiver information sessions you might find helpful:

“A Bittersweet Season”: Feeling grief and gratitude as a caregiver. On Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the library at Park Ridge of Hastings, 901 W. 16th St., Pastor Alex Treitler, director of spiritual care for Augustana Care in Hastings shares from his experience in working with families of residents at Augustana Care. He will also provide a view of research into caregiver grief as well as caregiver strategies for self-care.

From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, Park Ridge of Hastings will host Family Caregiving Strategies. More than ever, families face the practical and emotional challenges of caring for elders. Whether sudden or gradual, these responsibilities can be unfamiliar and overwhelming, particularly for working adults. Is your family ready?  DARTS Service Coordinator Lynn Cibuzar will help you learn about resources and strategies that can help maintain everyone's dignity and connectedness.

One caregiver’s reflections on caring for older loved ones: Caring Reflections/ Shout Out

“In my work life, I’ve been delving into demographic data and caregiving trends. The upcoming election has me thinking about how to educate candidates, and then a new group of legislators, about the needs and assets of older adults and the people who care for them. It’s reminding me once again how common my experience is. 

In Minnesota, 18 percent of adults are caregivers. That makes me one of about 736,000. Eight in 10 caregivers say their sleeping is worse than before they were caregivers, so I guess my insomnia makes me quite ordinary. Two-thirds of employed caregivers have come to work late, left early, or taken time off for caregiving matters. Yep, I’ve done that. Minnesota caregivers put in 649 million hours of unpaid care in a year, so my contribution is a drop in the ocean.

Indeed, we caregivers are everywhere. But each of us is experiencing something unique, important, and valuable. November will be National Family Caregiver Month, a time to honor the caregivers in our midst. I have a whole new perspective on that this year. Here’s a shout-out to all of us!

(Editor’s note: Beth’s complete online journal can be found at: http://www.darts1.

org/blog/caring-reflections.

For a resource guide for service providers who can help in your caregiver journey, please stop by the Hastings Senior Center in the Tilden Community Center, or go online to: http://www.darts1.

org/dakota-county-eldercare

-resources.

If you would like to submit a question or concern about your own caregiving experience, and get direct, one-to-one information and advice from a licensed social worker and eldercare advisor, please visit: http://www.darts1.org/

online-caregiving-advisor or call 651-455-1560.

Tags: events, seniors, entertainment, local