“Families Have Choices”
The above statement seems rather obvious, but I have
found that many families are not aware of their choices when it comes to
caregiving. Indeed, years ago there appeared to be only one choice,
nursing home care. I often give talks to community groups about Share
the Care and family caregiving. Usually I start off with the question,
“How many of you want to get sick and die in a nursing home?” I have
never had a single individual raise their hand. This does not mean that
nursing homes are bad or that for some people a nursing home is the most
appropriate level of care. What it means is that people imagine, for
themselves, a peaceful end of life in their own home, surrounded by
loved ones.
Share the Care is all about providing these choices. If you choose to
take care of your mother, you do not necessarily need to quit your job.
If you are caring for a spouse and you aren’t so very healthy yourself,
we can provide support.
Our aim is to try to anticipate the challenges that come with choosing
home care and helping families to address them. You need to work; we
have adult day care. You need a break; in-home respite. Your home is not
accessible; we can help you adapt it. Non-durable medical supplies too
costly; we’ll help. Need a place to talk it out; we have support groups
and one-on-one counseling.
Statistics show that family caregivers provide $196 billion (“Long-term
Care Report,” Special Committee on Aging, U.S. Senate, June 2002) worth
of care per year in the U.S. alone. But very few caregivers even
consider this. It is about choices. It is about what your family member
would want and in turn what we would want for ourselves. It is not about
money - it is about love.
Mary Ellen Grant,
Executive Director
Email
Our Mission:
Share the Care™ is a non-profit agency providing services and support to family
caregivers, enabling them to maintain their family member at home and delay
or eliminate the need for institutional care.
If you are a family caregiver who lives in Orange or Seminole County, Florida, we invite you to email or call us to learn how we can help you.
©2008 Share the Care™ Inc.
