Thinking About, and Thanking, Morris County's Caregivers

Submitted by Carol DeGraw, MSW, LCSW, Community Impact Manager at United Way of Morris County, and member of the Caregivers Coalition of Morris County. For more information about the Coalition, call Lori Rubin, 973.993.1160, ex 139, or visit www.uwmorris.org.

Family caregiving is an issue for all of us. Rosalynn Carter noted that "there are only four kinds of people in the world - those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers. None of us will be excluded."

"Family" caregivers are individuals who provide care to a loved one who is chronically ill or living with a disability. I put the word "family" in quotes because it is meant to be a term that includes close friends, neighbors and partners, anyone with an emotional attachment to the care recipient and who provides assistance with financial, homemaking, transportation, social, emotional and/or other needs on a daily or intermittent basis. The term "caregiver" itself does not clearly reflect this bond or the range of services provided.

Today family caregivers are supporting our entire healthcare system by providing more than 80% of all homecare services, valued at an incredible $306 billion. In just Morris County, an estimated 50,000 caregivers care for a spouse, a sibling, a parent, or a child with issues of aging, disability, or mental illness.

All of us can help. Consider reaching out to a caregiving family, with a meal, or the offer of some respite time, leaf raking, a run to the store, or transportation. Typically, family caregivers have great difficulty asking for help. You can make it easier for them to both ask for and accept help by offering something very specific. A little bit of help can go a long way.

Two years ago, United Way of Morris County started the Caregivers Coalition of Morris County to improve the quality of life for our County's caregivers by providing information, education, support, and advocacy.

In partnership with United Way of Morris County, and the Caregivers Coalition of Morris County, the Morris County Division on Aging, Disabilities, and Veterans has launched a new program to support family caregivers in the county. The Caregiver Support Project is designed to help caregivers access the services needed for their loved ones and themselves, and goes beyond information and referral to help with problem solving, advocacy, and support. Caregivers can call 1-800-564-4656.

Please continue to honor each and every family caregiver; they reflect family and community life at its best.