Respite: “Care for Caregivers”

Respite-the chance to take a breather, the opportunity to re-energize-is as important as any other item on your caregiver’s to-do list. People think of respite as a luxury, but considering caregivers’ increased risk for health issues from chronic stress, those risks are a lot costlier than some time away to recharge.

Respite is the key to your own well-being. Respite protects your own health, strengthens family relationships, prevents burn-out and allows your loved one to stay at home up to three times longer. No wonder respite is one of the most frequently requested support services for family caregivers.

R is for “Rest and Relaxation”. Everyone needs a little “R and R” - especially family caregivers. Relaxing is the best way to return refreshed to handle your many responsibilities as a caregiver.

E is for “Energize”, Caregiving is often round-the-clock 24/7. Respite isn’t simply “getting a few hours off.” It’s necessary to help you reenergize, reduce stress and provide care for your loved one.

S is for “Sleep”. Caregivers often have sleep problems. Address sleep problems and insomnia before they take a toll on your health.

P is for “Programs that can help you.” Respite—which can be in the home or out of the home can be hard to find, but there are programs available to help you.

I is for “Imagination.” Let your mind run free; read a book; see a movie. You have been so occupied with the nuts and bolts of caregiving that refreshing your mind will actually help you be a better caregiver.

T is for “Take Five”...or better yet, take ten. Do you find yourself saying, “I wish I had just ten minutes to myself?” Don’t feel guilty. You need a reprieve, a few minutes to temporarily disengage.

E is for “Exhale”. A simple breath in and a long exhale can help you focus and increase your vitality. A few deep breaths can give you more energy, reduce stress, and lift your mood.

During National Family Caregivers Month, remember “RESPITE: CARE FOR CAREGIVERS”

Article reprinted from the Caregiver Action Network.

History Of National Family Literacy Month

National Family Literacy Month is November and it’s time to get the whole family together to enjoy some reading — because when you read to your children, you inculcate in them fundamental skills for success in their later years in school and life. When a parent reads with their kids, learning occurs, memories are created, and bonds are made (or solidified). If you desire that your kids become readers, now is the best time to help develop in them a love for reading — then wait to have them thank you profusely in the future.

Books are our friends. Books enrich our minds and broaden our perspective of the world. One can never feel lonely in the company of good books. There is no better feeling than getting lost in a book and exploring the depths of a good writer’s reasoning and imagination.

November 1 marks the beginning of the National Family Literacy celebration, and that first day is appointed as National Family Literacy Day. Started in 1994, the celebration seeks to spread awareness and foster family literacy by encouraging parents and caregivers to read to their children. Parents play important roles in the education of their children.

Researchers have identified links between parents’ and caregivers’ literacy levels and children’s success in education, leading to the conclusion that the education of parents and caregivers largely determines those of their kids.

A love for books is usually developed at an early age, with colorful and engaging pictures and illustrations. Children learn to read and understand stories on their own when storybooks are read to them regularly. They also begin to imagine scenes described, wondering how those stories would end. The result is that they develop writing and reading skills, and build their vocabulary.

Libraries and schools should be more than mildly involved in this celebration of Family Literacy, by partnering with Adults — especially adults in parenting roles — to develop interactive online resources such as virtual reading workshops and activity guides that will make the celebration truly literary. There are surplus ways we can observe National Literacy Month.

How To Observe National Family Literacy Month

Visit the library:

Visit the local library with your family. A library is the one place where you have access to endless information for free. In addition to books, libraries also offer many programs. Join some of those programs, such as workshops, movie nights, and reading groups to add to the fun.

Read with your family:

Gather your family and spend time reading a good book. You can also read a book version of your children’s favorite movie. If your children can read, encourage them to read out a few pages as well.

Donate:

Remember that book you read a few years ago that has been collecting dust on the shelf? Wouldn’t it be better if someone could read that book instead of it lying there on the bookshelf? Consider donating your gently used books to a local charity. This way you can even help the environment by recycling the book, which would have ended up in the trash otherwise.

Reprinted from https://nationaltoday. com/national-family-literacy-month

For more information on Caregiving, please contact the Caregiver Resource Center at (845) 292-6180 or the Sullivan County Office for the Aging at (845) 807-0241.