CAREGIVER SUPPORT

Temple Micah is prepared to assist members seeking information and/or emotional support when they need to provide direct care for an ill loved one or want to help sustain a direct caregiver. 

A small cadre of experienced former participants in the Temple Micah Caregiver Support Group remains available on a stand-by basis to respond to concerns of Temple members. This can be done through phone calls or e-mail, or if desired, by convening a Temple support group meeting where participants can share concerns in a confidential setting.

BACKGROUND 

Over the last decade, Temple Micah sponsored  an active Caregiver Support Group to assist members who were providing care for loved ones either in our local community or on a long-distance basis for a loved one “back home.” Meeting semi-monthly and later monthly, the Group afforded a confidential setting where Temple caregivers – and those who supported them – could share their concerns and needs and seek advice and insights from caring peers. The Group also held occasional informational briefings, open to all Temple members, by professionals in law, medicine, and social work. Additionally, the Group helped caregivers identify resources for housing, nursing, social and psychological counseling and related services.

At the end of 2009, the Group found that although it had been utilized by dozens of Temple members over the years, there no longer was a demand from the Temple membership for regularly scheduled meetings. Over time, participants left the group because their issues had been resolved in one way or another. With the concurrence of Rabbis Zemel and Lederman and the Micah Board of Directors, the Caregiver Support Group agreed to step back and offer its services on an as-needed basis.

A small cadre of Group members, although no longer needing services for themselves or their loved ones, has agreed to continue to participate on an as-needed basis. Motivated by a desire to “give back,” they can serve as experienced resources for others seeking assistance services or support.

CONTACT

For more information, call Temple Micah Caregiver Support Group Coordinators Sid Booth, Learita Scott, and Harriet Tritell or write them via email.

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Jewish Social Services Agency: serving Maryland, D.C., and Virginia.  JSSA provides a wide range of information and counseling services to individuals and families in the metropolitan area, including caregiver consultation, in-home and in-office assessments, individual and family counseling, and caregiver coordination.
• IONA Senior Services, a nonprofit service organization located in Northwest Washington, DC, offers a variety of informational and support group services and resources to persons in the Washington area. IONA's new, free lecture series for caregivers, known as “Caregiver U,” is held on the first Wednesdays of the months at 4 and 7 p.m. Topics: “Balance, Falls, Prevention and Recovery,” Feb. 3; “Understanding and Coping with Parkinson’s Disease,” March 3, “How to Leave a Financial Legacy,” April 7.  For schedule detials, RSVP, and further information call 202-895-9448. IONA's website and their Senior Resource Digest blog offer specific information regarding caregiving resources.
• Medicare:  a new webpage identifies a variety of resources for caregivers: 

“The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (also known as CMS) has launched an initiative to begin a conversation with people who provide care for a loved one, friend or neighbor. The Ask Medicare initiative provides information, tools and materials to assist the caregiver and their loved ones in making informed healthcare decisions. On the website you can also sign up for an e-newsletter for caregivers which is emailed bi-monthly to individuals who sign up. The newsletter provides information on important dates such as open enrollment, changes in the program, etc.”

• Also see http://www.eldercare/gov.
• Offices on Aging: Many local jurisdictions maintain an Office on Aging offering various information and counseling resources. Contact your local government.
• Additional resources that might be helpful include--
• books, such as Caring for Your Parents: The Complete AARP Guide (available through Amazon and elsewhere)
• websites, such as AARP's and AARP's "Learning About Your Community Services", and the Family Caregiver Alliance's National Center for Caregiving, which publishes Guide for Congregations and Parishes, and The Family Caregiver Alliance/National Center on Caregiving.