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Taking care of an older
relative or friend can be challenging. Whether you prepare meals for
your father, drive your mother to the doctor, or provide 24-hour care
for your spouse, you are making an invaluable contribution to your loved
one’s life.
The Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services offers
information and referrals to a variety of services to help you navigate
the journey of caregiving. Our Family Caregiver Support Program can help
prevent “caregiver burnout” by offering counseling, support, case
management and referrals to respite and caregiver support groups.
On this page you can find the following
information to help you better care for your elderly friend or relative:
• When is it time to get help?
• What kinds of programs are available in Westchester County?
• How to get some time for
yourself
• Tips for Caregivers
When is it time to get help?
If you notice an obvious change in the elderly
person's' level of
functioning. Take a look around the house.
Are bills piling up?
Is the house becoming
cluttered?
Is food spoiling in the
refrigerator?
Has the stove ever been
turned on and left unattended?
Look closely at your family member.
Are they losing or gaining excessive amounts of weight?
Do they need help with bathing, dressing, or grooming?
Does it seem that prescription medications are being
finished too
quickly or are not taken at all?
Have you noticed a decreased interest in reading, watching
TV, or
keeping in contact with friends?
Are they less interested in life in general?
Are there signs of extreme forgetfulness, confusion or
disorientation?
Do they lose their way?
These could be indicators that intervention may be needed.
What kinds of programs are available in
Westchester?
The Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services
has established Family Caregiver Service Centers to provide help to
people caring for an elderly family member.
Safe Centers are where senior citizens, and those who care for them, can
go for help with the aging process. They are a safe place to talk about
depression, anger, drug/alcohol use, family violence, financial problems
– anything associated with aging. Each Safe Center has a social worker
who understands the range of problems seniors and their caregivers may
face. Safe Centers work with other community organizations to give
clients a variety of choices for managing their lives.
Safe Center Locations: (open Monday – Friday)
If you have any questions about elder abuse, services and programs for the
elderly and caregivers call the Safe Center near your home.
(Monday – Friday, business hours)
White Plains: The Safe Center at ElderServe 683-7530
Mount Vernon: 813- 6400
Yorktown: 245-9167
You may also call the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and
Services at 813-6300
There are also five full service Caregiver Resource Centers located
throughout the county. These centers are open to the public by
appointment only. Full Service Centers provide direct services and
referrals to caregivers, including:
• Assessments - A professional caregiver consultant will meet
with you to assess your situation and develop a care strategy.
• Case Management - A case manager from the Department of Senior
Programs and Services will meet with you in your home to ll develop a
“care plan” and connect you with services and provide follow up to
assure needs are met.
• Nutrition services- A consultant will help you arrange meals and
nutritional counseling.
• Resource material and videos - Resource centers can provide a
wide-array of information to help you meet the challenges of caregiving
including guides on these
topics: Sharing care with family; Dealing with stress; How to provide
personal care in the home; How to deal with challenges of Alzheimer’s,
etc.
FULL SERVICE CENTER LOCATIONS:
by appointment only
Department of Senior Programs and Services
9 South 1st Avenue
Mount Vernon
(914) 813-6300
ElderServe
170 Hamilton Avenue (at the Lighthouse)
White Plains, N.Y. 10605
(914) 683-7530
Caregiver Resource Unit
1974 Commerce Street, 3rd Floor
Yorktown Heights, N.Y. 10598
(914) 245-9167
Alzheimer's Association
785 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, N.Y. 10605
(914) 428-7530
Yonkers Office for the Aging
2 Park Avenue
Yonkers, N.Y. 10701
(914) 377-6822
LIBRARY CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTERS
There are 12 Library Resource Centers located throughout Westchester
County. Each library has a designated section equipped with books,
tapes, videos and DVDs available to check out on all aspects of care
giving.
Greenburgh Public Library
300 Tarrytown Road
(914) 993-1600
Katonah Village Library
26 Bedford Road
(914) 232-3508
New Rochelle Library
One Library Plaza, 3rd floor
(914) 632-7878
Ossining Public Library
53 Croton Avenue
(914) 941-2416
Field Library - Peekskill
4 Nelson Avenue
(914) 737-1212
Port Chester Library
1 Haseco Avenue
(914) 939-6710
Rye Free Reading Room
1061 Boston Post Road
(914) 967-0480
Scarsdale Public Library
54 Olmstead Road
(914) 722-1300
John C. Hart Memorial Library
1130 Main Street, Shrub Oak
(914) 245-5262
Somers Library
Route 139, Reis Park
(914) 232-5717
Warner Library - Tarrytown
121 N. Broadway
(914) 631-7734
White Plains Public Library
100 Martine Avenue
(914) 422-1400
How to get time for yourself
Respite Services are designed to give caregivers a “break” from
the demands of caregiving. Respite can be provided for a few hours in
the home or several days in a nursing home or hospital.
For help coordinating respite services, call (914) 245-9167.
Adult Day Care programs provide a structured setting, from a few to
several, hours a day, where you loved on can be supervised in a safe,
warm and caring environment. These programs not only provide
community-based alternatives to institutionalization for your loved one,
but also respite services for the family caregiver.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL (914) 245-9167.
Tips for Caregivers
Accepting help from family, friends and neighbors can provide the break
you may need. Using services available through your community agencies
can also be helpful. When caregiving always remember to:
Set realistic goals.
Provide help only with those things that are really needed. Oftentimes, caregivers will perform a task because it's ‘easier' or
‘quicker'. While the activity, such as dressing, may take a little while
longer, it is important to encourage and support the independence of the
person you are caring for.
Taking care of yourself. job, family, children, school, extracurricular
activities, PLUS caring for an elderly or infirm person creates tremendous strain. It's important to
eat properly and get enough rest and exercise. Speak to family and
friends to help you schedule a break.
Communicate with your family. There can be deep emotional currents
when serious or prolonged illness occurs. Some family members will want
to help with everything, others may need to be asked, and others will
not want to become involved at all. Have a family meeting
to discuss the care needs and what you're feeling. Work toward including
everyone in a schedule of care.
Talk with your employer. The Westchester County Caregiver Support
Program has established a Lunch and Learn program designed to provide
free educational seminars for employees who are caregivers and their
employers.
Get Connected. Try a support group. Caregiver Support groups can be
extremely beneficial in providing a supportive environment where
caregivers can express their feelings, both positive and negative. Read
Caring, a free quarterly newsletter filled with helpful information for
caregivers.
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