Fallbrook HealthCare Foundation salutes caregivers

During the next four months, The Fallbrook HealthCare Foundation will salute local caregivers by educating the public about caregiving and providing training assistance for local caregivers.

Betsey Levering, executive director for the foundation, said the salute is a result of a staff meeting where foundation employees discussed the everyday challenges facing caregivers.

They decided to “salute” their clients, who are part of the 54 million, or 26.6 percent, of the adult population providing care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family members or friends during the past year in the United States.

“We believe that caregivers don’t hear enough thanks for the great job they are doing,” said Teddie Borges, manager of the Fallbrook Adult Day Care Center. The center honored their client’s caregivers at a first-year anniversary celebration party held March 28.

To provide assistance to local caregivers, Director of Resources Renae Rasmussen has coordinated a series of training sessions for the caregiver. “These sessions are designed to provide caregivers with supportive tools for taking care of a loved one while they also take good care of themselves.”

The first series offers four classes on how to be a caregiver. Special attention is given to understanding the adjustments to caregiving, the aging process, when and how to help, end-of-life issues and dementia. The second series give caregivers the tools to make difficult decisions, reduce stress and prevent burnout.

Information about the caregiver classes may be obtained by contacting Renae Rasmussen, director of resources, at (760) 723-7570.

Betsey cites the following statistics about caregiving:

• Caregiving is no longer predominantly a women’s issue. Men now make up at least 44 percent of the caregiving population.

• Fifty-nine percent of the adult population either is or expects to be a family caregiver.

• So many people are living longer that for the first time in history, a married couple will likely spend more years caring for a parent than a child.