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Caregiver Coaching Provides On-the-Spot Guidance

November is National Family Caregivers Month, which is spearheaded by the nonprofit Caregiver Action Network. It’s a time for us to recognize and honor the dedication, love, and, often, sacrifices that come with taking care of a loved one who needs our help.

In America today, more than 53 million people – over one in five – provide unpaid care for an adult or child with special needs, according to a recent report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC). About 26% of those people care for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. And, according to the report, six in 10 caregivers (61%) also work, with more than half reporting taking time off for caregiving duties.

At LifeCare Advocates we work with a lot of family caregivers, many of whom have taken on the role of caregiving unexpectedly. “I have no idea where to start” is, understandably, a common refrain from those entering this new territory. We know that the journey of a caregiver can be an extremely rewarding one, however not without its challenges. When caring for a loved one, caregivers often face many obstacles which can result in physical, mental, emotional, or logistical stress.

Over our years of practice, we have helped numerous caregivers navigate the difficult balance between their needs and the needs of those they care for. We offer a service called Caregiver Coaching, which provides a space for the caregiver to receive solution-focused support from a seasoned clinician. We specialize in caregiver consultation for those caring for older adults living with dementia, Parkinson’s disease and/or physical disability.

A Caregiving Coaching session is an in-person or virtual meeting with an experienced Care Manager. You receive coaching when you need it, and pay only for the time you need. Together, you and your coach will address a specific caregiving challenge. We’ll help you with:

• Immediate guidance and direction.
• Identifying clear next steps for the specific challenge.
• On-the-spot advice and recommendations.

As a caregiver, it is important to be educated and supported, and to decrease our risk of caregiver burnout. Many caregivers do report their role gives them “a sense of purpose or meaning” (51% according to AARP/NAC). At the same time, 21% reported feeling alone, and 23% said their own health has declined because of caregiving. Even if you live far away from your loved one, you may spend your days managing care and thinking and worrying about your loved one.

Whatever your caregiving situation, we are glad to be of help as you explore how to best support your loved one.