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In today’s rapid-fire culture, we manage and balance complex schedules, careers, and issues with our children, grandchildren, parents and older family members. Functioning in this caregiving capacity often presents emotional challenges.  It can be difficult, for example, to accept that your loved one has a progressive condition such as dementia and the long term affect it may have on you and your family.

“Compassion Fatigue” or “Caregiver Burnout” are terms used for normal displays of stress resulting from caregiving. Some of the signs to be aware of include: difficulty concentrating, lack of energy or exhaustion, frequent headaches, decrease in productivity and diminished sense of personal accomplishment.  More serious signs include abuse: neglecting or treating roughly the person for whom you are caring, an increase in negative statements, feelings and blaming the care recipient for their behaviors.

A vital component of good mental and physical health is understanding the basics of self-care. Often times as a caregiver we immediately respond with little or no thought for ourselves or our own limitations. Rarely do caregivers consider realistic expectations that long-term caregiving requires. Rather than pacing ourselves and creating a plan, most will become completely immersed in reacting to issues as they arise. Long-term caregiving often has long-term affects on everyone, especially the caregiver.

The most important way to prevent compassion fatigue is to recognize that it can occur and make a plan.  Caring for yourself may seem like a low priority while trying to care for another—but it’s essential for the recipient.  When you’re providing care for someone, practicing self-awareness and self-care can help you maintain healthy boundaries; which allows you to be able to help your loved one for the long-term.

Essential parts of a good plan include: Make self-care a priority; eat regular healthy meals with protein, vegetables and whole grains. Exercise daily and make time for socializing with family and friends.  Keep a daily journal and record the details of your day. Write about any incident that upset you and take time to explore your feelings about the situation. Join a support group and sharing your feelings with those in similar circumstances who understand the challenges of caregiving.   Set aside 30 minutes each day for a personal self-care activity.  Mini breaks, naps and walks are all healthy self-care activities.

Utilizing Respite Care can give you “time off.”  Having professional help to relieve you from caregiving tasks for just a few hours each day can make a world of difference. Unremitting compassion fatigue can have serious health consequences. If you show signs of caregiver burnout or compassion fatigue, get help. Your overall health benefits your loved one as much as it benefits you.

Most folks have heard the old bromide, “Aging is not for sissies.” This is another way of saying, “The longer you live, the more losses you experience.” As we age, we may lose our friends and family members to illnesses and death. We may lose our jobs, our spouses, our financial security or our health…and perhaps all of them in a short span.

            Resilience has been defined in the professional senior care journals as “a dynamic process of maintaining positive adaptation and effective coping strategies in the face of adversity.”

Some people tend to cope more effectively than others with the various losses encountered as we age. While there may be certain personality types or even genetic advantages that allow for greater emotional resilience, the positive qualities of emotional resilience can be cultivated. Personal growth is not only for the young, and continues into your oldest years if you are willing not to simply settle into a set way of thinking and coping, but instead, face and grieve your losses directly.

            Whatever your loss, it is most important to not isolate yourself.

We all need our quiet times of contemplation and solitude, but as humans, our nature requires support and contact with others. If your friends and family members are not able to give us the support you need, you will always be able to find some form of community support to help you through the tough times. We have local groups for Alzheimer’s, Arthritis, Bereavement and Grief, Cancers of all types, Depression, Diabetes, Divorce, Family Caregivers, Heart Wellness, Liver disease, Lyme Disease, Men’s and Women’s Groups, MS, Parkinson’s, Substance Abuse, Widows and Widowers, …in other words, we have support groups for virtually anything you can think of.

            There is something special about being able to share your story, and listen to the parallel stories of others, that promotes healing and leaves you with less emotional scar tissue. Pain can become personal growth, leading you into your succeeding years in a healthier fashion. By embracing openness instead of shutting down, you become more resilient by developing “positive adaptation and coping strategies in the face of adversity.”

If you are a senior looking for a local support group of any type, feel free to call Central Coast Senior Services, Inc. at 831-649-3363.

Many people know of the Rotary Club International as a fun and effective community service organization with chapters all over the country, including our local Rotaries in Pacific Grove, Monterey, Carmel, Salinas and Seaside.

But did you know that the Rotary Club founded and funds free healthcare clinics that are specifically set up for the working poor?

RotaCare Clinics are operated by RotaCare Bay Area, Inc, and are located in Concord, Daly City, Gilroy,  Half Moon Bay, Mountain View, Pittsburgh, San Jose, San Leandro, San Rafael, Santa Cruz and Seaside.

RotaCare Bay Area, Inc. is a volunteer alliance of medical professionals, organizations and community members dedicated to providing free primary, quality healthcare services to uninsured families and individuals with limited ability to pay for medical care. They are entirely volunteer driven and supported solely through locally based philanthropy.

The Monterey Peninsula RotaCare Clinic in Seaside is fully staffed with three volunteer physicians, including a pediatrician. Volunteer staff also includes two or three nurses and at least three clerical from the local Rotary Clubs and community. They are a non-invasive, acute care facility; however, they have many physicians that do pro-bono work outside the clinic as needed. They have a transfer agreement with Community Hospital that takes care of all blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound and cardiograms. Because they also have an agreement with corporate Walgreens, RotaCare Clinic patients pay nothing for their medications, including over-the-counter medications.

The RotaCare Clinic is at 1150 Fremont Blvd in Seaside. The hours are every Wednesday evening, 5:00pm to 9:00pm. The care is provided first-come-first-served. You do not need an appointment. The care is free to those who are not on Med-Cal or Medicare, but who are unable to afford healthcare insurance. The phone is (831) 659-8037 for further information.

by Steven Raymond

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be quite shocking, creating stress and anxiety, and sometimes also depression. The Monterey County Office of the Alzheimer’s Association is just starting a support group for memory loss due to Early Stage Alzheimer’s or related disorders at The Sally Griffin Senior Center in Pacific Grove. The meetings will be on Thursdays, 3:00pm-4:30pm.

I have volunteered to facilitate this support group because I have experienced a tremendous benefit in my personal life from a different type of support group. I am an active member of the Breakthrough Men’s Community. It is almost a cliché that older men tend to isolate themselves, and do not talk about their emotional lives. I have found that sharing friendship, conversation and education with other men has been just wonderful for me, and I see it as an extraordinarily healthy process for  other men in my group as well.

People with memory loss due to Early Stage Alzheimer’s or related disorders can experience the same benefit of avoiding isolation and proactively learning self-care strategies. It is very possible to live with Early Alzheimer’s and still engage in and enjoy a meaningful life, and this is exactly the goal we have for the members of our Early Stage Support Group of the Monterey Office of the Alzheimer’s Association.

I was struck by a very poignant comment during our first meeting:

“When you do online research about what’s available for people with Early Alzheimer’s disease, you see a lot of information for caregivers, but not so much for people like us who are early in the disease.”

And this is a comment from a participant in another Early Stage Alzheimer’s Support Group:

“Being with others who are aware and share common challenges and feelings has helped me feel less socially isolated. In the outside world, I often feel alone. In this group we are not alone, we are together.”

If you or a family member would benefit from an Early Stage Alzheimer’s Support Group, please contact Pat Potter at the Monterey County Office of the Alzheimer’s Association, 800-272-3900. There are also support groups for Family Caregivers, and Pat will provide that information as well.  

By Susan O’Brien, Jingle Bell Run 2011 Senior Honoree

When first diagnosed with arthritis in 2004, I could not have been more stunned. I  associated arthritis with the deformed and painful joints of older age (I was 47). I developed rheumatoid arthritis affecting my lungs as well as my joints and my overall health was dramatically impacted. I learned  the autoimmune nature of RA can affect virtually any body system, and is not limited to seniors, but can affect people of any age, even small children.

For someone just diagnosed with arthritis, the pain and fear can be overwhelming. At times I was so depressed that I didn’t even want to try to lift my head from the pillow. I was fortunate to have great family support and excellent medical care. But I needed more.

For me it was crucial to not isolate, but to seek knowledge and support. I learned that exercise, diet and many complementary therapies (acupuncture, etc.) really make a difference. A Tai Chi class helped me work my way back towards better function and a healthier outlook. Dr. Stephanie Taylor teaches that program through PG Parks and Rec. I  found help through CHOMP’s  Arthritis Support Group and Chronic Pain Support Group. And then the Arthritis Foundation’s wonderful website, www.arthrits.org.

I decided to take action and joined our new local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. The Central Coast chapter has developed local programs to provide resources and information for patients and their families. I am very proud of this wonderful organization and excited and honored to participate in our 2^nd annual fundraiser, the Jingle Bell Run in Pacific Grove.

A 5K run/walk, with a 1k kids run, this event is a true family affair!  This year we will have an “Ask-a-Doc” booth, where you will be able to ask questions of a physician, a rheumatologist, a dietician, a physical therapist  and a pharmacist.

Since so many children are afflicted with juvenile arthritis, we have activities for kids as well. My Museum will provide lots of activities. Santa and his elves will be there, making our kids section lots of fun for all!

Please join me at the Jingle Bell Run/Walk at Lover’s Point Park on Saturday, December 10, for fun and information. The festivities begin at 7:30am. For more information, contact Alexandra Fallon at 831-620-1699, or afallon@arthritis.org.

Check out the Website: http://jinglebellrunpacgrove.kintera.org

A distressing sign of our down economy is that donations and grants to nonprofit organizations serving seniors are dramatically decreased this year from previous years.

Budget cuts are taking a huge bite out of Meals on Wheels, but they are doing everything they can to keep seniors from going hungry.

“Many of our elders, particularly our home bound elders who are of advanced age are falling between the cracks financially, many of them simply do not have the funds to feed themselves,” said Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula Director, Christine Capen-Frederick.

She also said they serve about 500 home bound senior citizens every year, but another year of budget cuts by the federal government is making it tougher and tougher to serve them all every year.

“We have seen cuts in our federal funding as well as some cuts in our foundation funding, clearly it’s a difficult economic time for everyone and our individuals are cutting back 3 to 5 percent.”

Meals on Wheels programs only have to serve lunch and dinner but the Monterey Peninsula chapter also serves breakfast. Capen-Frederick said it’s because breakfast helps keep people healthy.

“Save Our Breakfast ensures that elders who really cannot get out of the house, will have a healthy start to the day.”

Meals on Wheels has raised $10,000 for their breakfast program, but at this time last year, they had raised about $35,000.

Now they’re hoping to reach their goal by the end of the year with the community’s help.

“We need people’s support, we mostly want people to understand that there are seniors in our community who are really living on the raggedy edge.”

Capen-Frederick said even if Meals on Wheels doesn’t raise enough money, they’ll find a way to keep serving three meals a day to people who need it.

This year, at Central Coast Senior Services, Inc., instead of the customary gifting of sweets and treats to our friends and referral sources, we are donating our Christmas gifting budget to the “Save Our Breakfast” Drive, and we are soliciting our friends in the for-profit business world to do the same.

If you would would like to donate a few dollars to “Save Our Breakfast” Drive, call Meals on Wheels at 831-375-4454 or go to www.mowmp.org.

In one year, 350 dedicated Meals on Wheels volunteers gave 25,000 hours to prepare, serve and deliver almost 74,000 meals, and provided 12,000 hours of access to services, education and special events to the community through the agency’s Sally Griffin Center. Let’s support their stellar volunteer effort with financial contributions to “Save Our Breakfast.”

Living Optimally with Rheumatoid Arthritis

On Sat., Dec 10, the 2^nd Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis will be held at Lover’s Point.

Don’t be intimidated by the word “Run,” as this great day should be called the “Jingle Bell Fun Event,” and whether or not you walk or run, the JBR is a great time.

The Jingle Bell Run 2011 is an event sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation, a nonprofit health organization helping people take greater control of arthritis by leading efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases. Our local chapter provides community based programs to make life with arthritis easier and less painful, and provides information on the wide variety of treatment options.

Rheumatoid Arthritis, or RA, is an inflammatory disease that affects our joints, but can also affect the lungs, the pericardial sac containing the heart, and the white of the eyes, known as the sclera. It strikes about 1 out of 100 people, usually beginning in our 40’s or 50’s, but may begin older. It affects women three times more than men. It is not just a disease of seniors, as it can also affect young children. It can be a disfiguring, disabling and painful condition, which can lead to substantial loss of function and mobility if not adequately treated.

While it can create severe difficulties in one’s life, there are many strategies for coping with the disease and maintaining your function and mobility. Here are a few of the broad categories:

Optimizing your nutrition with high fiber foods, omega-3 fish oils, olive oil, anti-oxidant rich foods, and even onions contribute to an anti-inflammatory diet.

Pharmaceutical approaches include a wide range of drug therapies for pain relief, anti-inflammation, and bone strength and health.

There are literally dozens of nutritional supplements that can help with arthritis. It is important to consult with your physician when using supplements.

Alternative Therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, hypnosis, massage and bodywork help many people with arthritis find relief from stress, anxiety and pain.

Movement practices such as Tai-Chi, yoga, swimming, walking and dancing elevate your mood, keep you flexible and help maintain strength.

The Arthritis Foundation has a wealth of information regarding the medical treatment and life strategies for coping with RA at www.arthritis.org.

Because times are tough for everyone these days, our worthy nonprofits are really feeling the pinch. If you are comfortable making a small donation to support this wonderful cause, please visit our team page by clicking this link:  CCSS Striders for Arthritis

I hope you will come to the Jingle Bell Run/Walk at Lover’s Point Park for fun and information. The festivities begin at 7:30am. This really is a very fun local event. There will be a timed 5K run, a fun run/walk, and a 1K Elf Run for children under 12 years of age. Santa will be there with his elves and other fun activities. More than 118 other Jingle Bell Run/Walks around the country can be found at www.arthritis.org.

Register today at www.jinglebellrunpacgrove.kintera.org

For more information, contact Alexandra Fallon at 831-620-1699, or afallon@arthritis.org.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Monterey County

by John O’Brien

One of the local events that I enjoy greatly each year is the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This year was no exception. It was a fun event with families, children, people with early stage cognitive impairment, family caregivers, and happy, smiling dogs. We enjoyed a great day along the recreation trail by Lover’s Point while raising funds for a vitally important cause.

 Our local community is fortunate to have the excellent staff at our Monterey Alzheimer’s office on El Dorado Street. As the Executive Director, Sherry Williams is one of those people who quietly provides extraordinary leadership to our community. On her staff is Pat Potter, who teaches and organizes educational forums throughout the year. Becky Cochran is the Administrative and Program Assistant. And there are Special Event Managers Mary Albright and Anissa Novak. Mary organizes the Walk to End Alzheimer’s that we held this past Saturday, and Anissa manages Reason to Hope.

If you’ve never known someone with Alzheimer’s Disease, you probably know of the disease primarily through the casual social jokes we hear when people have some minor lapse of memory. Often when I hear these jokes, I think they serve to soften a subtle fear that many have about growing older and “losing their mind” or “becoming senile.”

These jokes are outdated notions of the seriousness of Alzheimer’s Disease, and the burden of costs and care it places upon families throughout our country. If you are the daughter of a mother who no longer knows you, or the son of a father who was once a community mover-and-shaker and now is in the late stages of the disease and can no longer speak, there is not much to find humorous about how this terrible disease steals everything away from a person, and steals that person away from their family.

I wish to thank Sherry, Pat, Becky, Mary and Anissa for the wonderful work they do for our community. I also want to thank Anne Albano, Karen Boothroyd, Martha Hatcher, and Lavonne Rilling, who volunteer their time to run support groups for family caregivers and people with early stage cognitive impairment.

Providing In-Home Care for families coping with Alzheimer’s Disease has taught all of us at Central Coast Senior Services, Inc. that this community NEEDS a healthy and functioning local Alzheimer’s Association. If you missed the opportunity to donate to this vital local cause, or if you need further information on the support that is available, call the Alzheimer’s office at 831-647-9890.  You will be glad you did.