Posts under ‘Caregiver Support’

• Regional Centers

  If there is a possibility that a child can become developmentally delayed or is already developmentally delayed, the regional center can help. It provides resources such as nursing care, as well as financial aid for costly equipment. This is a directory of regional centers that exist in California (http://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/rclist.cfm)

• SSI (http://www.ssa.gov/)

  Depending on your financial situation and prognosis, children can qualify for Social Security benefits.

• Medi-cal for Children (http://www.chikids.org/aboutchi/medical.html)

  This is also for families of sick children in financial hardship. It helps to pay for medications and expensive procedures.

Whether you are a professional in the helping field or an adult looking after your elderly parent, both caregiver burden and compassion fatigue can be a significant factor. I use these terms interchangeably as do other social workers and psychologists to mean stress and lessening of compassion one feels after taking care of people. Having been in the helping profession and also helping to care for my grandmother all my life, I know the toll this can take.

1. Do something fun and rewarding

   Take your mind off of your responsibility by rewarding yourself. Perhaps a good book or a gossip magazine or a blog!

• Call the hospital ahead of time for visiting hours and guidelines

  Visiting hours vary depending on the hospital and area the patient is placed. Intensive Care Units will probably have stricter guidelines. Some places don’t allow children, not only for the health of the patient, but also for the health of the children.

• Check with the front desk/ security on bringing gifts

  Some hospitals don’t allow latex balloons or other products for allergy reasons! Also, there might not be space in the hospital rooms for large gifts. Some rooms might not even be rooms! Beware of curtain dividers.