Caregiver Fundamentals

Becoming a caregiver is one of the most supportive and loving roles a person can play in life. As the American population ages, the number of caregivers and the demands placed upon them will grow. Currently, about one in four American families care for someone over the age of fifty. Approximately 75% of caregivers are women and two-thirds of caregivers in the United States have jobs in addition to caring for another person.

Because caring for another person takes a lot of time, effort and energy, in addition to full-time jobs, parenting and home issues, caregivers often express feelings of depression, anger, isolation and sadness. Sunbeam's Caregivers Fundamentals is a comprehensive training course designed to provide practical assistance for caregivers and enhance the quality of care they provide.

Sunbeam's Caregivers Fundamentals program includes:

Resource Assistance - assists caregivers in accessing services and resources available within the community. Individualized consultation, resource packets and home-based educational materials are customized for each situation.

Caregiver Education - offers reliable and credible information on issues related to providing care. The focus of the educational series is the caregiver's physical, mental and emotional well being which factor into a caregiver's endurance and ability to be a supporter.

Counseling - provides the caregiver with an objective, non-judgmental person to share their thoughts and feelings with as well as offers support and assistance in decision making and problem solving. Counseling has also proven to reduce the likelihood of experiencing depression or burnout related to caregiving.

Caregiver Support - organizes support groups for caregivers in an encouraging environment where caregivers can share thoughts and feelings with others having similar issues, concerns and challenges.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - provides support groups for grandparents who are raising grandchildren as well as therapeutic activities for the grandchildren. The program also gives school supplies to the grandparents to help offset some additional school expenses.

Respite Care - aids with relief for the primary caregiver so that he or she can take a break from their caregiving responsibilities for short periods of time. Respite care is free of cost!