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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 24, 2008 - 25 Caregivers need to take care of themselves C aregiver is a relatively new term in our vocabulary. It has many different definitions, depending on who you are caring for. As caregivers, we may be caring for our own children or our grandchildren, or for our spouses, partners or aging parents, or a combination. There are also professional caregivers, such as nurses or personal support workers. "All of these different roles carry their own challenges and rewards," said Karen Robins of the Alzheimer Society of Hamilton and Halton. "What these roles share is that they are mostly fulfilled by women. In fact, according to the Canadian Women's Health Network, 80 per cent of caregivers caring for an elderly person are women," said Robins. Caring for an aging parent who has an illness affecting thinking or cognitive ability, (memory, understanding and judgment) invites many different and heightened challenges. "Diseases such as Alzheimer's, Pick's, Parkinson's, vascular dementia can be slow and insidious," explained Robins. "The nature of cognitive decline means that the caregivers's learning curve will be continual, possibly over many years. "Also, the nature of a cognitive impairment means that parents may not be able to understand the help they need. This can leave caregivers frustrated and sometimes alienated from the person they are trying to help." Regardless of which role a caregiver is fulfilling, the challenges and demands may seem at times insurmountable. "Remember, as the caregiver, you need to look after yourself," advised Robins. Here are some suggestions from the Canadian Women's Health Network on how you can help yourself and your family: · Accept offers of help and ask for specific favours. For example, have someone visit while you go out. Let someone shovel your snow or have prescriptions delivered. · Make a list of things that you like to do and things you don't like to do, then give away as many of tasks you dislike as possible. · "Escape" regularly. Find at least half an hour each day to enjoy a hobby, go for a walk or join a caregiver support group. · Look into respite programs and caregiver support networks. · If your partner is ill, get your paperwork in order. Is there a current will? Do you have power of attorney? Do you know what life insurance and employee benefits you are entitled to? Contact your local Alzheimer Society for the support and education related to cognitive impairment due to any dementia. Women interested in learning about supports within the Halton community are encouraged to visit the Women's Health · · · · · Alzheimer Services Community Support Services Corporate Wellness Nursing Personal Support Services Support pp Alliance of Halton's website at www.whah.ca. The Alliance, which receives funding from Choices for Health, promotes women's health and provides access to support services and resources. Choices 4 Health is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, community partners and the Halton Region Health Department. The Choices 4 Health Network is a community coalition of more than 250 individuals and organizations working together to create a Halton in which people achieve optimum health by choosing opportunities for healthy eating, physical activity, good mental health and smokefree living. -- Submitted by Choices 4 Health CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY SATURDAY OCTOBER 25TH Thank you Acclaim Health Personal Support Workers! "Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light." ~ Albert Schweitzer ~ HUNGRY? EVERY SUNDAY WE SERVE October is Personal Support Worker Appreciation Month. 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