ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & RESOURCES
SELF CARE & RESPITE CARE
30
31
• If you find that you are overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety and worry or if you cannot sleep well, please be sure to tell your Care Team. The stress of caregiving can sometimes lead to depression. Talk with your social worker, chaplain, or music therapist about scheduling some time to talk about your feelings. • Do not be afraid to ask questions when you are unclear about care and safety instructions, medication management, etc. No question or
concern is too small. You are a valuable member of your loved one’s Care Team, and your concerns are valid. • Seek support and open yourself to help. Utilize support groups and companionship. • Trust your instincts. Most of the time they will lead you in the right direction.
You may find some of the resources below helpful. For a more detailed listing or other resources please contact a member of your Care Team. Websites • FourSeasonsCare.org – Four Seasons Website • nhpco.org – National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization • caringinfo.org – Caregiver information and tools for end-of-life care • elderweb.com – Online eldercare sourcebook • nfcacares.org – National Family Caregivers Association • helpingcaregivers.com – Includes resources and links for opportunities to help caregivers • seriousillness.org – Caregiver information and tools for end-of-life care Resources Ask Your Care Team for a free copy of these resources: • Caregiving Resource Kit – Includes useful resources for caregivers • Hard Choices for Loving People: CPR, Artificial Feeding, Comfort Care, and the Patient with a Life-Threatening Illness by H. Dunn (available in English and Spanish) • Gone from My Sight, The Dying Experience by Barbara Karnes (available in English, Spanish, Polish and Russian) • Five Wishes , published by Aging with Dignity (available in English, Spanish, Polish, Russian and Japanese – other language versions can be ordered) Books for caregivers • I’m Here to Help – A Guide for Caregivers, Hospice Workers and Volunteers by Catherine M. Ray • Caring For Yourself While Caring For Your Aging Parents: How to Help, How to Survive by Claire Berman • Helping Yourself Help Others by Rosalynn Carter • Taking Time for Me: How Caregivers Can Effectively Deal with Stress by Katherine Karr • Handbook for Long-Distance Caregivers – Available in print by sending $5 (check or money order) to Family Caregiver Alliance, 180 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100, San Francisco, CA 94104, or download it for free at caregiver.org Other resources • The National Council on the Aging - BenefitsCheckUp.org (online benefits screening)
Four Seasons is Here for You. We are always just a phone call away. Registered nurses, social workers, and chaplains are working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need assistance, support, or guidance, please contact us at 866.466.9734.
RESPITE CARE
What is respite care? There are times when caregivers need a break. Respite (or rest) care gives the caregiver the op- portunity for time off or to attend a family event. Respite care supports the caregiver and is part of the benefit provided by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurances. Respite care in the home setting can be provided by trained volunteers on a weekly or as needed basis. How is inpatient level of care respite obtained? The inpatient respite level of care is available to patients residing in a private residence and can be provided in a contracted facility or in Elizabeth House (Four Seasons’ inpatient unit) on an as need- ed basis. Situations indicating a need for respite care may include, but are not limited to, injury or impairment of the caregiver and/or the caregiver requires or requests an interval (5 days or less) of rest or relief from providing continual care to the patient. The social worker or RN care manager as- sesses the need for respite care, arranges inpatient respite care with a contracted facility, arranges transportation if needed and informs the rest of
the team and necessary agency departments. Respite can last up to 5 days and is offered as needed. The patient will receive all medications and treatments based on the hospice plan of care. The medical provider may stop by, but this is not routine since team members will provide the facil- ity with all necessary care instructions. Remember, when using respite care, the setting is different but the care does not change. How should the patient/caregiver prepare for res - pite? Bring all medications (except narcotics) in labeled medicine bottles. Bring supplies, such as diapers, ostomy supplies and dressing supplies. Pack the patient’s personal items (brush, comb, toothbrush, etc.) as well as any clothing the patient wants. How should the patient get to the facility? If at all possible, the family should take the patient and pick them up. If this isn’t possible, discuss transportation needs with the social worker and nurse on your team.
Many of your concerns can be addressed by a member of your Care Team. Please contact us if you are unable to find the information that you need.
Four Seasons provides websites and other resources as a service for our patients and their families. We do not intend any endorsement and make no representations about the sites or their owners, products or services. We are not responsible for the content of the sites. All trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners.
866.466.9734
FourSeasonsCare.org
FourSeasonsCare.org
866.466.9734
Four Seasons
Four Seasons
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs