January 2023

Managing the Post-Holiday Season as a Sandwich Caregiver

For sandwich generation caregivers, the holidays can sometimes feel more stressful than cheerful. A “sandwich caregiver” is a term that describes an individual who is providing care for a parent or older adult while simultaneously caring for a child in their home. There comes a time when things shift. You carry on for years of only caring for a child and all of a sudden find yourself “sandwiched,” caring for your child and now a parent. Providing twice the care can often results in twice the stress, so it’s important to take a step back and explore ways to help you manage your stress so you can enjoy visiting with loved ones and family traditions during this holiday and post-holiday season.

Sandwich caregivers can help reduce caregiver burnout by following these tips:

Accept what has changed. You may have noticed the Holidays looking and feeling a little different this year. Roles and relationships are shifting, and your parent may not be able to manage all of the tasks they used to. Acceptance can bring peace and help you move forward with this new way of doing things.
Be realistic. There is only one of you and it’s okay if traditions change. Setting realistic goals with other siblings and family members can help your mental space and help you prioritize what is important.
Plan ahead. Prepare for meals, appointments, etc. ahead of time. Get grocery shopping done early. Coordinate with other family members. Planning ahead can help minimize stress and prevent last minute complications!
Take care of you. Keep your body and mind refreshed by being active, eating healthy and getting enough sleep. Taking care of yourself will support your immunity during the winter season, help keep stress levels down and allow you and others to enjoy your time together

Resources

From AgingCare

How to Stay Sane During the Holidays as a Sandwich Caregiver

From Care.com
9 ways sandwich-generation caregivers can manage stress

From Caring Transitions
Managing Holiday Stress

From the Family Caregiver Alliance
The Sandwich Generation: When Caregiver Seems to Be Your Only Role

From the Mental Health Alliance
Caregiving and the Sandwich Generation

Announcements

Cognitive Assessments

Did you know that you can get cognitive assessments right in our senior centers? Several of our Aging Transitions Team are certified to administer the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). While this is not the same as a medical diagnosis, it can provide a baseline of cognition, as well as help determine your strengths and challenges. Contact the Aging Helpline to schedule an appointment: 919-968-2087.

FREE Nutrition Supplements

If you have NC Medicaid, you may be eligible to receive free oral nutrition supplements, like Boost or Ensure. Contact the Aging Helpline for more information at 919-968-2087.

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.

Options Counseling - Is it for you - Elderly Hispanic couple

Click to Enlarge

Advanced Directives - Contact the Aging Helpline

Click to Enlarge

Upcoming Programs

Dementia Basics: What Can We Expect?

This four-part is designed to provide basic information about dementia to individuals with memory concerns, caregivers, family members, friends, and interested community members. Each week will focus on a different topic related to dementia. Location: Chapel Hill Public Library.

Thursday, January 5 - Session 1: Brain Health, 10am-12pm
Thursday, January 12 - Session 2: Types & Stages of Dementia, 10am-12pm
Thursday, January 19 - Session 3: Communication, 10am-12pm
Thursday, January 26 - Session 4: Preparing for the Journey Ahead, 10am-12pm

The series is designed to be taken all together, but you are welcome to register for individual sessions. Register by Monday, January 2 via phone or email: agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov; 919-968-2087.

Dementia - Let's Talk About It (Virtual via Zoom)
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 17 at 10:00am: Hearing Loss & Dementia

Memory Café
Join us for a free, fun, low stress social engagement opportunity for people living with dementia and their care partners. Contact Alison Smith (919-245-4241 or AlSmith@orangecountync.gov) for more information or to register.

Memory Café on the Move
- Thursday, January 19 at 1:30pm, at Coco Espresso, Bistro & Bar (101 Glen Lennox Drive, Chapel Hill)
- Register by Friday. January 13

Support Groups
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. We have resumed in-person meetings and have added a new Zoom only group.

Chapel Hill Support Group
- Contact Kendall Kopchick to join - kkopchick@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4278.
- 2nd & 4th Fridays: January 13 & 27 at 10:30am at Seymour
Hillsborough Support Group
- Contact Keisha Andrew to join - kandrews@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2022.
- 2nd Thursdays: January 12 at 1pm at Passmore
Zoom Only Support Group
- Contact Lydia Arnold to join - LArnold@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4276.
- 1st & 3rd Tuesdays: January 3 & 17 12:30pm via Zoom
Hybrid Support Group for Mandarin Speakers
- 2nd Thursdays: January 8 at 1pm at Seymour and via Zoom

Chapel Hill Parkinson's Support Group
This month's meetings will be split group open discussion. Contact Maggie Ivanic for more information and to RSVP.

Virtual Carepartners Group: Tuesday, January 3 at 12:30pm
Virtual People with Parkinson's Group: Tuesday, January 3 at 2:30pm

Chapel Hill PSP & CBD Support Group
Support group for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration. This month's group will focus on open discussion. Contact M aggie Ivancic for more information and to RSVP.

Wednesday, January 4 at 1:30pm, via Zoom

Geriatric Care Management 101 - January 25

Click to Enlarge

Contact Us

For more information, resources, and services, please reach out to our team through the Aging Information & Referral Helpline:

919-968-2087

or

AgingTransitions@orangecountync.gov