Avoiding Burnout: Caregiver Support at Garden Courte

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Garden Courte 1Everyone needs a break sometimes.  Whether it’s from work, children, or the hustle and bustle of everyday chores, our health depends on those little moments of rest.  Sometimes, however, that’s easier said than done.

The Family Caregiver Alliance states that over 43 million adult family members are caring for someone over the age of 50, with almost 15 million supervising Alzheimer’s or dementia care.  Their statistics claim that “the value of unpaid family caregivers will likely continue to be the largest source of long-term care services in the U.S., and the aging population 65+ will more than double between the years 2000 and 2030, increasing to 71.5 million from 35.1 million in 2000.”

Olympia’s Garden Courte Memory Care Community is a local network of loving support for our aging population.  Their award-winning staff host community fundraising events and provide school supplies for our local students in need.  They offer every manner of eldercare, from determining ‘when it’s time’ to sharing the exciting meals, activities, and stimulating interaction needed as we age.

Community Marketing Director Marilyn Richards is proud of the Daycare and Respite offerings at Garden Courte.  “Wouldn’t a break for myself make me a better caregiver?  Many people don’t realize until it is too late that they could be facing ‘burnout’ with the individual they are caring for.  Especially with dementia it can be tough because there is definitely some anxiety on both the caregiver and the individual suffering from the disease.  Possible wandering that could put them in harm’s way, up at various hours of the night keeping the caregiver awake all night, safety fears with kitchen items, bathing hazards, or getting into something that might be hazardous to their health.

“All this takes a toll on people and the situation,” Richards continues.  “When given an opportunity to ‘get away from the stress/environment’ and re-charge it can make the situation attainable upon return.  Revitalized caregivers make for better caregivers.”

Respite care is traditionally for a few days or weeks, whereas daycare is just that.  Whether it’s to attend an out of town event or just a pending medical appointment, caregivers are free to arrange a break, knowing their loved one will be secure, engaged, and provided the best care in town.  As Richards explains “Now they can have a break to run errands, meet friends for lunch, go places and do the things they need to stay happy and healthy while still providing them with the comforts of home on their schedule.”

Garden Courte 2These temporary offerings are also a great chance for aging relatives to get comfortable with the staff and layout of Garden Courte.  Should full-time elder care become a necessity down the road, the transition will be much less stressful for everyone, caregiver and recipient alike.

Richards notes that Garden Courte offers many activities to residents, including “Outdoor courtyards, wide open walking halls, great people to mix and mingle with. Our activities are designed to distract, engage and offer an opportunity to be a part of a quality of life that rewards them and gives them a feeling of purpose.  Not all folks participate hands on, but just being in the room and watching allows them to feel at ease.  The music Garden Courte invites into their community is bar none the best.  With a variety of instruments our entertainers play, the residents get lost in the moment.  It is a true ‘moment of success’.”

Staffers at Garden Courte also offer caregiver support in the form of monthly guest speakers and online question-and-answer sessions.  These can be invaluable not only as resources but to help build a support network of like-minded allies and friends in the community.

The US Department of Health and Human Services explains that caregiver stress is a very real thing.  They conclude “To begin with, never dismiss your feelings as ‘just stress.’  Caregiver stress can lead to serious health problems and you should take steps to reduce it as much as you can…Although caregiving can be challenging, it is important to note that it can also have its rewards. It can give you a feeling of giving back to a loved one. It can also make you feel needed and can lead to a stronger relationship with the person receiving care.”

Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help, but it’s also a tremendously vital thing to do.  By reaching out to qualified medical staff, people in similar situations, and the community around you, the day-to-day responsibilities are made so much easier.  Garden Courte is always there to help. Call 360-339-5080 or visit them at 626 Lilly Rd NE.

 

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