Caregivers | cssjohnston

Caregiver Support

Click the letter icon to email us about Caregiving questions you may have.

There is help...

We offer help to the Caregiver in a variety of ways:

SUPPORT GROUPS:

It can be very frustrating, upsetting, overwhelming. It can be even more difficult when you are all alone. Our support groups offer comfort during difficult times and celebrations during those special moments. We offer 2 group sessions, offered during the day or evening, so that you connect with others in a situation similar to yours.

ANNUAL CAREGIVER RETREAT:

Once a year, we hold a FREE Caregiver's retreat. We set aside a Saturday (usually) and for a few hours we provide information from professionals in the areas concerning caregivers today (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinsens Disease) as well as books, pamphlets and more on many subjects. We provide a meal, music entertainment, and even door prizes all designed for the caregiver to get away and treat themselves for a few relaxing hours to unwind.

CANDLELIGHT REFLECTIONS:

Each year in November, the County and the State recognizes Alzheimer's Month. We hold a ceremony in the atrium of the courthouse in downtown Smithfield. We hold a candlelighting ceremony remembering those we have lost and honoring those currently living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, and their dedicated caregivers.

Annual Caregiver Retreat

Held each year around April-May

Candlelight Reflections

Held each year around November

A few scenes
from the Caregivers Christmas BASH
December 2023:

A few scenes
from the Caregivers Retreat April 22, 2023:

Caring for the Caregiver

Respite

A break for the caregiver can be provided to the primary caregiver caring for a senior with dementia or a disabling condition. Primary caregivers often dedicate all of their energy to meeting the needs of a loved one while postponing their own needs jeopardizing their own physical health and emotional well-being. Our respite care is grant funded and provided through a local home health agency. This service requires a care level assessment by a registered nurse and respite service by a certified nursing assistant.

All programs are monitored by the Area Agency on Aging for compliance.

Resources

We have a variety of books, CDs & DVDs regarding several different topics related to caregiving that are available through our lending library, and some as a free gift.

Some of our topics include:

Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson's, Cancer, Caregiver Survival Guides, Legal Decisions, Home Safety, and Bathing without a battle.

Caregiver Links

We talk with family caregivers every day who are looking for answers. They often tell us that the role of caregiver chose them, rather than the reverse. We are constantly amazed by the caregivers’ determination to provide the best possible care for the loved one in the home environment for as long as possible.
There are many resources on the internet today, which can help a family caregiver quickly get up to speed on a variety of common caregiving challenges.

Here are a few:

Video Caregiving
http://www.videocaregiving.org/ <-- (click to view the online page in another window)
is an excellent resource that offers information on a wide array of subjects, including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, falls prevention, infection control, advance directives, the emotional impact of caregiving, etc. If you are caring for someone with a memory illness (Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia), there is a vast assortment of web resources.

The Home Caregiver Network
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/whats-medicare-supplement-insurance-medigap has a large assortment of videos addressing: Basic, intermediate, and advanced skills; coping & emotional skills; essential & practical skills; hands-on skills; helpful products; and guide to long-term care.

www.CaregiverStress.com also has a wealth of articles, videos, resources, and special programs on a variety of caregiving topics. CaregiverStress.com even has a dedicated channel on YouTube. YouTube also features a Family Caregiver Network Video Series.

Maybe you have a Medicare-related concern or question.

http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers/ is a website devoted to family caregivers.

http://www.matherlifewaysinstituteonaging.com/ Cutting-edge research lays the foundation for our solid solutions to challenges in the senior living industry, including recruitment, mentorship, education, and retention.