GAPS Caregivers/Care Partners
DATE: 2nd Thursday of the month (except in December, no meeting)
TIME: 2pm to 3:30 pm
PLACE: In person - Our meetings are now held at the Bexley Apartments Clubhouse, 2300 Wolf Ranch Parkway, Georgetown. This complex is behind the Natural Grocers on University. The keypad code to open the gate is 1955. If you experience a problem with access call Gail at 850-570-1992. You are welcome to bring a drink and/or snack.
GAPS Caregiver Admin: Jeanette Larson tazcaly@yahoo.com
CONTACT: Jeanette tazcaly@yahoo.com or Mary Jane dberry3@suddenlink.net
Dates |
Location |
January 13, 2022 |
Bexley Apartments Clubhouse |
February 10, 2022 |
Bexley Apartments Clubhouse |
March 10, 2022 |
Bexley Apartments Clubhouse |
Caregiver Resources
- Parkinson's Foundation Top 10 Essential Caregiver Resources: Top 10 Essential Caregiver Resources | Parkinson's Foundation
- Parkinson’s Foundation Care Partner Program - This Care Partner Program is a series of self-paced online courses designed with care partners in mind and is recommended for anyone caring for someone living with PD, including spouses, partners, parents, children, friends or other family members. They are FREE, just register! This is flexible programming that includes videos, journal prompts and opportunities to connect with care partners around the world about the topics that are most important to you.
- Caregiver guide: AARP Family Caregiving Guides are designed to help develop and implement a caregiving plan for a loved one or friend. Click: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/prepare-to-care-planning-guide/
- Caregiver U: CaregiverU is a collaboration of more than 20 Central Texas non-profit agencies and community organizations, joining together with AGE of Central Texas to bring support and resources to families that are caring for an older loved one. Classes are offered at no cost to participants. Click: https://ageofcentraltx.org/index.php/caregivers/caregiveru/
- Support Products
- U-Step Walkers - In-Step Mobility, Creator of the U-Step Walker for Parkinson's Disease (ustep.com)
- Bob and Brad massage gun and other physical therapy aids: Bob and Brad | Get Fit, Stay Healthy, and Pain-Free Products
- Gait Belt - Amazon.com: Essential Medical Supply Gait Belt with Metal Buckle, 72 Inch, White 1 Count : Health & Household
- Bathroom Safety Tips for Caregivers (upflushtoilet.com)
- BOOK - You are a Better Parkinson's Disease Caregiver Than You Think: What Every Caregiver Should Know
- Caregiving Basics - Things to prepare when taking care of seniors
- Kristen Neff, “Self Compassion: https://self-compassion.org
- The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is partnering with the Department of Veterans Affairs and CareLinx in-home care professionals to offer free respite care to caregivers of disabled veterans. For more info click here: https://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/2020/08/05/elizabeth-dole-foundation-gives-caregivers-of-disabled-veterans-time-off.html?ESRC=mr_200810.nl
- A book for caregivers: No Saints Around Here: A Caregiver's Day by Susan Allen Toth. Description: No saint, as she often reminds the reader, Toth found solace in documenting her days as a caregiver. The result, written in brief, episodic bursts during the final eighteen months of her husband's life, has a rare and poignant immediacy.
Order at Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ClVed1 - Anticipatory Grief is feeling grief and loss while being a caregiver. This article provides some caregiver tips: https://www.webmd.com/palliative-care/caregiver-grief-and-bereavement#1
- AGE of Central Texas - has an extensive online list of at-home activities and caregiver resources at http://www.TinyURL.com/AGE-at-home-activities
- Caregiver’s Helpline - PD specialists answer all Parkinson’s and caregiver questions, provide emotional support and refer health care professionals. Call 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) or email Helpline@parkinson.org.
- Parkinson’s Caregiver’s Guidebook - This comprehensive guidebook is for caregivers at every stage of PD. It contains tips and tools to make the caregiving journey as productive as possible. Read or Order
- Avoid Caregiver Burnout - Compassion Fatigue - "I'm at my breaking point... what do I do?" is a common question from AFA Helpline callers right now. Excellent video from AFA social worker, Kara Rogers, LMSW, shares tips and guidance on how to spot the warning signs of caregiver burnout and what to do if you're noticing them. Great 5 minute video: WATCH VIDEO HERE Alzheimer’s Help-Line #866-232-8484
- Caregiver Conversations Video – This 12-minute video has Celebrity Caregiver Clips and Tips from Clay Walker, Della Reese, Joan Lunden and Henry Winkler, also, the video includes Dealing with our Loved Ones UTI Challenges and important advice for Family Caregivers during Covid-19 caregiver.com/articles/celebrity-interviews/caregiving-conversations
- During a recent Georgetown Lewy Body Dementia support group meeting, Anticipatory Grief was discussed. Please find notes below that may be helpful to you in working through this sensitive topic.
| anticipatory_grief.pdf |
| what_to_do_when_a_loved_one_dies.pdf |
The following two checklists outline things to do after the death of a loved one. While we hope no one needs these anytime soon, it's good to have a checklist to help us focus.
| identify_your_losses.pdf |
| within_1_month_of_death.pdf |
See also the "GETTING HELP & INFO" page on this website for more info!
