Care for the caregiver: Where to find help fulfilling a necessary but exhausting role

July 29--" ... All those who try to go it sole alone,

Too proud to be beholden for relief,

Are absolutely sure to come to grief."

-- Robert Frost

It's the conundrum of the sandwich generation: As those in their 50s, 60s, sometimes even 70s, struggle to care for elderly parents and loved ones, who cares for the aging, overwhelmed caregivers?

Help may be coming in a new pilot program starting this fall hosted by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. Officials there said it will provide caregivers with tools to stay healthier and happier in the caregiving journey.

The free classes will be held once a week for 12 weeks at JCC centers in Squirrel Hill and Scott. The program, developed by the National Council on Aging, is called "Aging Mastery Program for Caregivers through AgeWell at the JCC," and participants don't have to be JCC members to sign up for this or any of the center's myriad programs.

"We talk about the need of the caregiver to care for themselves," said Alexis Winsten Mancuso, assistant director of the JCC. "Caregivers often do not think that they need support and help."

Class topics will include tips on proper nutrition, exercise, sleep and financial planning. Discussions also will be held on ways to avoid burnout, how to communicate with doctors, and where to turn for help.

Caregivers will be urged to "get yourself out of crisis and find the resources you need," Ms. Mancuso said.

Each participant will get a book, discussion guide and links to online resources to help the caregiver and the person they care for, she said.

Classes will be 60 to 90 minutes long. Dates and times of classes have not been set yet, but those who are interested in attending can contact Sharon Feinman, assistant director of Agewell, at [email protected] or 412-697-3533.

A $132,542 state grant to JCC will fund the program. It's one of 43 grants given to senior community centers across the state. Grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging totaled more than $2 million. The money comes from the Pennsylvania Lottery.

The need for help for caregivers is growing, according to statistics from the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, based in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania now has 2.2 million residents age 65 and older. The state ranks fourth among all states in that statistic, as well as numbers of residents age 85 and older. This older demographic is, of course, the group most in need of personal care.

By 2030, Pennsylvania's age 60 and older cohort is expected to be 29 percent of the population -- approximately 4 million people. The number of Pennsylvanians age 85 and older is expected to exceed 400,000 residents in 2030.

The association estimates that 70 percent of those now turning 65 will require long-term care in their lifetime, and they will receive care for an average of three years.

Other sources of help

An array of programs currently exist to help caregivers:

--Agewell Pittsburgh Information and Referral: agewellpgh.org or 412-422-0400. Ask for Maxine Horn.

--Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging Senior Line operates 24/7: 412-350-5460.

--PA 211 South West Powered by United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania: call 211 or 412-255-1155. United Way is one of the funders for AgeWell.

--Senior resources and services for healthy aging: seniorresourceguide.com. The website is based in Littleton, Colo., but it has a link for Pittsburgh and local services.

--JCC Checkmates: Older adults come to the centers in Squirrel Hill and Scott to make weekly calls to age 60-and-over residents of Allegheny County. The volunteer callers provide a brief respite for the usual caregivers, said Amy Gold, a social worker who trains volunteers and steps in if callers believe medical or other aid may be needed. About 40 volunteers make over 200 calls each week. Checkmates is free. To sign up: [email protected] or 412-697-3528.

--Care Shared: A new program will start this fall in which students at Community College of Allegheny County will be matched with older residents who live near the South campus in West Mifflin and the campus on the North Side. Students will visit older residents in their homes for up to four hours each week. Funded by United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Jefferson Regional Foundation, the program is free and provides a work/study opportunity for students. Contact Laura Hahn at [email protected] or 412-456-6716.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: [email protected] or 412-263-1953.

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