Caregivers | cssjohnston

Caregiver Support

Click the letter icon to email us about Caregiving questions you may have.

There is help...

We offer help to the Caregiver in a variety of ways:

SUPPORT GROUPS:

It can be very frustrating, upsetting, overwhelming. It can be even more difficult when you are all alone. Our support groups offer comfort during difficult times and celebrations during those special moments. We offer 2 group sessions, offered during the day or evening, so that you connect with others in a situation similar to yours.

ANNUAL CAREGIVER RETREAT:

Once a year, we hold a FREE Caregiver's retreat. We set aside a Saturday (usually) and for a few hours we provide information from professionals in the areas concerning caregivers today (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinsens Disease). We provide a meal, entertainment, and even door prizes. These are designed for the caregiver to get away and treat themselves for a few relaxing hours.

CANDLELIGHT REFLECTIONS:

Each year in November, the County and the State recognizes Alzheimer's Month. We hold a ceremony in the atrium of the courthouse in downtown Smithfield. We hold a candle lighting ceremony remembering those we have lost and honoring those currently living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, and their dedicated caregivers.

A few scenes
from the Spring BEE Happy Retreat
May 2024:

Annual Caregiver Retreat

Held each year around April-May

Candlelight Reflections

Held each year around November

Joint CSS and JCC Project
is a Success

CSS is happy to congratulate a second group of caregivers to successfully achieve proficiency on their new laptops. A joint effort between the CSS Family Caregiver Program and JCC yielded eight graduates. Shown right is their JCC instructor. A month of hands-on instruction in a classroom, twice a week for a month completed the course to become proficient.

A few scenes
from the Caregivers Christmas BASH
December 2023:

Caring for the Caregiver

Respite

A break for the caregiver can be provided to the primary caregiver caring for a senior with dementia or a disabling condition. Primary caregivers often dedicate all of their energy to meeting the needs of a loved one while postponing their own needs jeopardizing their own physical health and emotional well-being. Our respite care is grant funded and provided through a local home health agency. This service requires a care level assessment by a registered nurse and respite service by a certified nursing assistant.

All programs are monitored by the Area Agency on Aging for compliance.

Resources

Private provider lists for in home care can be picked up at the CSS Office.

Onsite options assistance available. We evaluate individuals' needs and preferences and assist them in connecting with available resources.

Caregiver Links

We talk with family caregivers every day who are looking for answers. They often tell us that the role of caregiver chose them, rather than the reverse. We are constantly amazed by the caregivers’ determination to provide the best possible care for the loved one in the home environment for as long as possible.
There are many resources on the internet today, which can help a family caregiver quickly get up to speed on a variety of common caregiving challenges.

Here are a few:

Video Caregiving
http://www.videocaregiving.org/ <-- (click to view the online page in another window)
is an excellent resource that offers information on a wide array of subjects, including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, falls prevention, infection control, advance directives, the emotional impact of caregiving, etc. If you are caring for someone with a memory illness (Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia), there is a vast assortment of web resources.

Excellent resource of information on Senior Care Resources for Caregivers

www.CaregiverStress.com This site has a wealth of articles, videos, resources, and special programs on a variety of caregiving topics. CaregiverStress.com even has a dedicated channel on YouTube.

YouTube Links of Interest:

https://teepasnow.com/resources/for-families-and-friends/#products

Teepa Snow, and occupational therapist and dementia care and educational specialist presents a variety of videos on caregiving for someone with Dementia/Alzheimer's.

https://www.youtube.com/@DementiaAllianceofNC Our NC partners for information and education surrounding Dementia.

https://www.youtube.com/@davisphinneyfdn The Davis Phinney Foundation has brought to life some of the most important programs, research, content, and events for those affected by Parkinson's. Our community includes people living with Parkinson's care partners, families and friend of those living with Parkinson's physicians, and Parkinson's allied health professionals.

https://www.youtube.com/@PamelaDWilsonCaregivingExpert Caregiver programs by caregiving expert Pamela D. Wilson help older adults and their caregivers plan for the future, reduce worry and doubt, and build confidence. Find the resources you are looking for in this comprehensive collection of videos.