January 2022

Happy New Year!
2022 is Here: Time for
Caregiver Self Care

Hello and Happy New Year to all of my beautiful caregivers. The past two years have forced us all to learn how to maneuver life through a pandemic. However, the caregiver role cannot stop because there is always a need. Statistics from The Mayo Clinic, show one out of three adults in our country are providing care to other adults who otherwise would not have the support they need. So as the New Year begins, caregivers should be mindful of how they are feeling. Do you need some quiet time, a spa day, somebody to talk to outside of the caregiver role? Such activities are necessary to help caregivers be the best for providing care. How can this be accomplished?

Ask for Help
Lighten the load by letting people in who you know are sincere and would like to help if possible. There are so many ways that others can help caregivers. The caregiver must be willing to let others participate in helping with some of the needs. Grocery shopping, running errands, or even taking a turn at sitting with your loved one are all ways others can contribute. Contact the Aging Helpline to learn about resources to help take some tasks off your plate. Try not to allow yourself to get to the point of needing self-care but have it in your daily schedule. Burnout is a sign that self-care is not in your daily routine. How can you tell if burnout is occurring?

Burnout
     Several factors can lead to burnout. As a caregiver, you can quickly think your life is no longer yours. Some of these elements are trying to maintain your household, including taking care of your entire family, maybe working a job, and even figuring out how to be a caregiver. Johns Hopkins reports that these factors can bring on feelings that there is a lack of autonomy and privacy, and you are not good enough and are not equipped with the knowledge to be an efficient caregiver. Do not allow these thoughts to make you think you are not good enough. That is why self-care is so important. Self-care will keep you from getting to critical burnout. Critical burnout presents in the form of depression, low self-esteem, lack of sleep, abuse or neglect of loved ones receiving care, and being upset. Let us all work together in support to make sure burnout does not occur.

     The new year has started, and I sincerely hope all caregivers will prioritize having self-care worked into their routine. It is a must to keep you all healthy as you do the vital role of caregiving. Be the best version of yourself that you can be. Have a bright and fulfilling new year.

This month's article was written by Kimuria Snipes, one of two social work practicum students working with OCDoA's Aging Transitions team this academic year. Kim is a first year student with NCCU's MSW program.

Additional Resources

From Johns Hopkins:

Causes and Symptoms of Caregiver Burnout

From The Mayo Clinic:
Caregiver Stress: Tips for taking care of yourself

From Family Caregiver Alliance:
Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers

Announcements

Senior Center Update:
Previously scheduled outdoor group programs have moved inside with limited capacity. Social distancing and masks are required at both senior centers. We continue to offer virtual and hybrid (combination in-person and virtual) programs, information, individual services, and one-on-one appointments Monday - Friday; 8 am - 5 pm.

For more information please see:

Activity Calendar: Download a copy of our monthly Activity Calendar including all of our videos, live classes, and online programs.
Endless Possibilities Activity Guide: View the latest Endless Possibilities (formerly Senior Times) for all of our programs, services, and resources.
Information & Services: Information, individual services, and one-on-one appointments are available M-F, 8 am - 5 pm. For an appointment, please contact the Aging Transitions Services Helpline at 919-968-2087.
Lunch Program: Meals are available via curbside pick-up. Email Isabel Jackson or call 919-245-4256 for more information or to register for our Lunch Program.
New or Modified Programs, Services and Resources for older adults during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond here.
Register Online: Register for classes online. Choose display option "Detail" and search by title, activity code and more to find and register for your class or event.

For regular updates about senior center programming, please subscribe to the biweekly Endless Possibilities e-newsletter.

Everyone 18+ years who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is eligible for a booster.

Changes to OT Services

Our Aging Transitions Occupational Therapist Marie Dagger will be out of the office on family leave until early May. Home safety evaluations and consultations will be on pause until her return, but the dementia education programs and durable medical equipment donation/loan program will move forward with team support. Please reach out to the Aging Helpline for any questions or needs you may have: 919-968-2087 or AgingTransitions@orangecountync.gov.

Brief Counseling Services

Our team of social workers are available to work with older adults and caregivers for brief counseling services, free of charge. We can work with you on issues including anxiety, depression, caregiver stress and loneliness.

Contact the Aging Helpline for more information: (919) 968-2087.

Handyperson Recommendations

Have you hired a fair, helpful, and trustworthy handyperson? We are compiling a list of individuals who assist with home repair work in our community. If you had a positive experience with a particular person or company and would recommend them to a neighbor, please share!

Complete our online recommendation form or call the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087) to submit your recommendation.

In Need of Incontinence Supplies?

Thanks to generous donations, the Department on Aging has a supply of incontinence supplies including: bed pads, pull up briefs, adult diapers, wipes, and adult booster pads. If you are in need of any of these items, we may be able to provide you with up to one pack per month (depending on availability of the items requested). Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087 or Agingtransitions@Orangecountync.gov) to request supplies.

Dementia Friendly Orange County

The Orange County Dementia Friendly Business Program is now offering virtual trainings!

Dementia Friendly organizations aim to be aware and accommodating of the needs of patrons with dementia or other special needs. Thank your local businesses for being a Dementia Friendly Partner or ask them to become one!

Activity Engagement Coaching

It can be challenging to find ways to keep loved ones with dementia engaged throughout the day. For caregivers connected to our various dementia support programs, we are now offering one-on-one consultations where we can brainstorm together with you to identify enjoyable activities that are:

person-centered, i.e. tailored to your loved one’s current and past interests, likes, preferences
meaningful
appropriately modified to current level of cognitive ability, thereby reducing frustration and stress

If interested, please contact Lisa Meinert (919-245-4251), certified Dementia Care Partner and Activity Professional.

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Upcoming Programs

Physical, Emotional, & Social Wellbeing

Orange County Caregiver Support Groups

Support groups are resuming in person meetings! The first session of each month will meet at the designated senior center, with the second meeting happening via Zoom. These support groups are a space to meet with other caregivers to share experiences, learn new skills, and get answers to questions about dementia and other long-term disabilities.

Chapel Hill Support Group

Contact Kim Lamon-Loperfido to join - kloperfido@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4253.

Friday, January 14 at 10:30am via Zoom
Friday, January 28 at 10:30am via Zoom

Hillsborough Support Group
Contact Kendall Kopchick to join - kkopchick@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4278.

Thursday, January 13 at 1pm via Zoom
Thursday, January 27 at 1pm via Zoom

Chapel Hill Parkinson's Support Group

This month's meeting will be a full group discussion discussion. The topic is 'What is new in Parkinson's and genetics' witih Dr. Nan Browner, Medical Director of the Parkinson's Foundation Cener of Excellence at UNC. Available via Zoom - contact M aggie Ivancic for more information and to RSVP.

Tuesday, January 4 at 1:30pm

Chapel Hill PSP & CBD Support Group

Support group for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration. This month is open discussion with Maggie Ivanicic, new CurePSP Center Coordinator and reflections on the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022. Available via Zoom - contact M aggie Ivancic for more information and to RSVP

Wednesday, January 5 at 1:30pm

Fit Seniors

At-Home exercise and wellness options designed to help keep you fit and healthy with your favorite OCDOA fitness instructors: http://www.co.orange.nc.us/2371/Fit-Seniors.

Memory Café
Memory Café has returned at various locations around the county. We invite people living with memory loss and their care partners to join us for a fun, casual social outing! Contact Kendall (919-245-4278) for more information and registration by Tue, Jan 18, 5 pm.

Thursday, January 21; 2 pm at the Nasher Museum of Art

Click to Enlarge

Free Creative Respite for Caregivers of Loved ones with Dementia

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Educational Events

Caregiver Education Series: Choosing a Long Term Care Facility
Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living and Memory Care facilities come in all shapes, and sizes. With so many options, there are a lot of choices to make. Long Term Care Ombudsman, Autumn Cox, will share the key things to look for when choosing a long-term care facility for a loved one. Contact Kendall (919-245-4278) for more information. Register in advance here

Monday, January 24; 1:30-2:30 pm

Dementia - Let's Talk About It
Join OCDoA’s dementia care specialists for a conversation around topics related to dementia education, living with cognitive change, and being a dementia caregiver. We will provide 15-30 minutes of education at the start of the hour, and the remaining time will be spent in conversation, Q&A, and resource-sharing around the day’s topic. Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087) for more information and registration.

Tuesday, January 4 at 10:15am: Important Documents
Tuesday, January 18 at 10:15am: Self-Awareness & Dementia