Area Agency on Aging Staff Hosts Caregiver Appreciation Day in Latest Outreach Event

Upper Savannah Area Agency on Aging staff have been busy participating in outreach events throughout the Region, including Caregiver Appreciation Day Monday at a Greenwood church.

Close to 100 caregivers attended the event at New Journey Church. Caregivers who participated in Upper Savannah’s Family Caregiver Support program during FY ’24 were invited.

Other outreach events upcoming in the next week in which the AAA will participate include the United Way of the Lakelands Community Care Fair Sept. 26 at the United Center on Phoenix Street in Greenwood and the Senior Expo at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood Oct. 1.

Staff have participated in outreach events in every county in the Upper Savannah Region in the last few months.

Family Caregiver Advocate and Educator Dorinne Dubois from the Appalachian Council of Governments was guest speaker at Caregiver Appreciation Day. Her topic was caregiver burnout.

“A caregiver by nature is not self-centered,” she told the caregivers. “We don’t think about ourselves. But you have to take care of yourselves.”

She said a caregiver’s job description is literally “everything.” It’s providing meals, washing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning, giving baths, taking loved ones to doctor appointments, etc.

And when the care receiver has dementia, “you are thinking for them too,” she said.

“We even have seniors raising grandchildren and taking care of their spouse at the same time,” Dubois said.

She said caregiver burnout typically consists of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion.

Dubois suggested breathing exercises, taking breaks such as a short walk when possible, and most importantly asking for help.

“You are a superhuman being but you are still a human being,” she said. “Caregivers don’t want to ask for help, don’t know how to ask for help.”

She said when family members or friends ask, “can I do something for you,” let them.

“Write a list of things you need help with and let them pick, that way you are giving them a choice and not feeling like you are forcing them to do something,” she said. “Let them take some of those things off your plate.”

Dubois suggested getting educated on being a caregiver, get with other caregivers such as support groups, use respite services, and don’t feel guilty about asking for help. Let children and others sit with loved ones to allow yourself a break.

Upper Savannah Family Caregiver Advocate Aeriell Bowick and AAA co-workers hosted the event. Bowick can be reached at 864 941-8067 for more information about resources for caregivers.

DDSN/DMH Long Term Care Ombudsman/Volunteer Ombudsman Coordinator Ashley Capps and Assessor Chasity Lewis informed caregivers about the Ombudsman program where volunteers visit residents in assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

“You can be a friendly visitor and let them know they are not forgotten,” said Lewis, a former volunteer Ombudsman who now assesses clients for AAA services.

“It’s a very rewarding experience,” Capps added. “We are really in need of volunteers.”

Capps said a recent study indicates that only around 60 percent of assisted living and nursing home residents are visited by family or friends.

Regional SHIP Specialist Christy Stroud told caregivers that the Medicare Open Enrollment period will be Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2024, when clients can make appointments with her by phone or in person to discuss their Medicare prescription drug plans.

“It’s not which plan is the best, it’s which plan is best for you,” she said.

Stroud said prescription drug coverage will be capped at $2,000 per year. Stroud said seniors need to be aware of scams, including the recording of a senior saying “yes” to can you hear me or is your name…” can lead to unknowingly being signed up for an unwanted Medicare Advantage Plan.

Stroud told of a mother who nearly wired a significant amount of money because an artificial intelligence recording of her daughter’s voice seemed to indicate her life was in danger. She said the best scam defense is to not answer unrecognized phone numbers.

The AAA services offered to qualified seniors include home-delivered meals, group dining, medical and essential transportation, minor home repair (ramps, grab bars, hand rails), family caregiver support, home care, respite care and legal assistance. Call the AAA at 864 941-8050 for more information.