Family Caregivers Deserve Recognition and Support; Department of Human Services Provides Resources

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a special time to acknowledge those who give of themselves to enable family and friends to remain in their homes and community.   Caregiving can be difficult and stressful.  The Department of Human Services offers several resources to help caregivers take care of themselves while caring for others: 

• Caregiving 101, a primer on how to begin the journey of caregiving, will be conducted on Tuesday, Nov. 29, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Senior Resource Center, 912 Princess Anne Road.
• Several caregiver support groups meet monthly:
  • Central Library Caregiver Support Group meets every second Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Meyera E Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.
  • Municipal Center Caregiver Support Group meets every third Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Fire Administration Building, Bldg. 21, 2408 Courthouse Drive.
• Respite Care for the Elderly provides a temporary break from care-giving responsibilities, allowing the family caregiver time to regroup, renew, recharge and restore balance in life and reduce stress.  Trained, experienced, in-home adult sitters provide supervision and socialization to individuals who live with their primary caregiver and who are not safe to be left alone due to illness or dementia. Respite Care Services are provided on a sliding fee scale and cost $3 to $8 per hour.

For more information about these resources, please contact Nancy Allan, Respite Care Coordinator, Department of Human Services Mental Health Substance Division, at 385-4135 or visit vbgov.com/HS.

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