My desire to participate in caregiver coaching comes from years of working with families. The core support that family caregivers receives is very important to the aging loved one’s well-being. To holistically meet the needs of the Older Adult, the primary caregiver must be well and supported also. I enjoy the focus of finding the strengths and needs of the individual caregivers of the Older Adult and using those to help form a working  care plan for all. It’s important for all caregivers to have a voice and to understand the options involved. This may sometimes involve helping many people with differing desires and views to reach a consensus. My ability to walk through this process with families  often leads to a strong client and family bond in relation to the care for the Older Adult. It can often mean that the tasks of caregiving are dispersed  among family members and/or other professionals, rather than falling on just one or  two family members. Some of the aspects involved in caregiver coaching  may be:

• Provide a listening ear to all involved so that they know their role is respected and important
• Assist families to determine the needs and challenges of the existing care giving situation
• Share experiences and knowledge about their situation to help alleviate the burdens of guilt, frustration, fear, and overwhelm
• Share practices, based on experience, and knowledge of other families who have been in the same position, that will alleviate care giving burden
• Guide families through the processes and systems of senior care programs
• Help mediate family differences
• Organize and create a contingency plan for changes or emergencies

This work can be done in conjunction with Care Management or I can help with this as a separate service.