Family Seminars for Caregiving: Helping Families Help. Technical Assistance Manual

摘要

The manual provides the information necessary to organize and present a series of seminars designed to help family members provide regular supportive services for those needing care due to chronic health problems. The emphasis of these seminars is on helping caregivers to continue in their role and maintain a caring relationship with the care receiver. The curriculum is designed to be conducted during 2-hour sessions over a 6-week period. It addresses such topics as changing family roles, decision making, normal changes with aging, common illnesses of the elderly, community resources, legal concerns, and the importance of selfcare. In addition, the sessions focus on coping and caregiving skills as well as skills in communicating effectively with community agencies and health care providers. Ways to introduce the participants so that they will begin to know each other and to understand that they are not alone in their present caregiving situation are suggested. Exercises for exploring the feelings of the caregivers are included and guidelines for assessing and managing feelings are offered. Elements of grief are delineated, food problems likely to be experienced by the elderly are identified, and nutritional tips for the elderly are provided. The use of community resources to expand options for the elderly is examined and suggestions for helping caregivers get through the day are offered. Appendixes contain an annotated bibliography and lists of additional resources.