There are more than 400,000 adults in Utah that are family caregivers and that number is expected to grow to over 500,000 by 2030, according to the University of Utah. That is one out of every five Utah adults. November is National Family Caregivers Month. A time to raise awareness and increase support for caregivers. The theme through the National Council on Aging is “Caregiving Around the Clock.”

Locally, Davis County Senior Services offers support and resources for those caring for a loved one.

“Most people don’t realize they are caregivers,” said Megan Forbush, Case Manager for Davis County Senior Services. “They think it’s more hands on like bathing, etc. but they’re making calls, driving them to the store or doctor’s appointments. They think those are small tasks and don’t always associate them with caregiving.”

Taking care of someone can be really stressful, she said. “It can push you to the limit and cause burnout. You need to get help earlier before it gets to that stage. When they finally contact us it’s too late, they’re already feeling stressed.”

Senior Services has resources that can help caregivers and keep the elderly stay in their homes, she said. “We have programs that can assist with showering, bathing, homemaking, shopping, running errands, meal preparation and other services.”

Each program has different requirements for a family to qualify, Forbush said. “Some services are through the National Caregiver Support program. They look at things like stress level and what the caregiver is doing for their loved one. If they qualify they can provide 50 hours of services and you have to use those within 12 months.”

After that a family can do private pay such as home health, she said. “Some programs are income based and look at the need and financial part. They look at what the individual can do for themselves and what they can’t do.”

One of the most important things for a caregiver is self care, said Forbush. “They’re sometimes overwhelmed and they’re not taking care of their own needs and they get burned out. You need to get away even for a few moments. You have to get away from the situation. Whatever helps you (caregiver).”

Maybe there are other family members who are willing to come and give them a break, she said. “There are also agencies they can hire to come in if they’re financially able. When they come in, that's a chance for them to take a break.”

Once they identify themselves as a caregiver there are support groups that can help, she said. “It’s an open forum where people can share or vent and get advice from others. It helps them to feel that others understand and that they’re not alone. A lot of people don’t realize they’re a caregiver until they've attended a meeting.”

The main thing is reaching out for help before getting to the point of burnout, said Forbush. “It’s better to solve it in the beginning and look at options early even if you don’t need the services right now. Start doing some research, that way you know where to turn if you need help.”

Forbush said they get calls of people in crisis. “If you’d done research beforehand it would have alleviated a lot of stress. Don’t wait until you’re in a crisis.”

For information or questions about any of the programs, contact Senior Services at 801-525-5050. λ