November spotlights family caregivers

November is National Family Caregivers Month and the Department of Human Services would like to acknowledge those who are family caregivers and remind them about some excellent resources in Oregon that can help.

In Oregon, it is estimated there are about 360,000 unpaid family caregivers. This includes those who are caring for a parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child, friend or those grandparents who are raising young children.

Nationally, there are approximately 65.4 million family caregivers providing support to a loved one, which translates to approximately 450 billion dollars annually in unpaid care.

Family caregivers assist seniors and people with disabilities to help improve their quality of life. Their efforts help deliver comfort and security and help individuals stay in their homes and communities as long as possible. This is often done while caregivers balance other commitments to their families, jobs and communities.

“The impact of caregiving upon a caregiver can be great,” explained Jan Karlen of the state unit on aging. “Caregivers are at a higher risk of emotional stress and depression as well as chronic health conditions. They are less likely to engage in preventive health such as exercise and regular physician visits.”

As these compassionate individuals put their own lives on hold to tend to their family members, Oregon’s ADRC (Aging and Disabilities Resource Connection) is here to help ensure that caregivers do not have to do it alone.

Oregon’s ADRC is a “one-stop shop” for older adults, people with disabilities, their caregivers and families to get the information and services as their health and long-term care needs change. It provides resources, options counseling services and connections to help caregivers and their family members find local community resources that can help.

For more information on the ADRC go the website at www.adrcoforegon.org. or call 1-855-ORE-ADRC. In addition, there are other online resources that can be helpful:

Family Caregiver Alliance
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/home.jsp

AARP
http://www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/?intcmp=SKYBOX5EN

AARP Online Support Group
http://www.aarp.org/online-community/groups/index.action?slGroupKey=Group92

Alzheimer’s Association
http://www.alz.org