GRAND Magazine - September 2009 - 31

G R A N D PA RT N E R S F O R G R A N D PA R E N TS Ah, September…warm days and cool nights – that herald the waning days of summer and the first kiss of Autumn. The last of summer’s fruit ripens, the leaves turn yellow, orange and crimson; and the birds begin their migration to warmer climates. For those of us preparing for winter—just like the ant in Aesop’s fable it’s time to shake off the lazy days of summer and focus on work and family. 25% of all workers are also family caregivers who are caring for an elderly parent or a fellow grand. Millions more are also primary care providers for their grandchildren. Working caregivers handle the same types of caregiving tasks as their nonworking counterparts, but have the additional challenge of balancing work and family responsibilities. And those challenges are many. Caregiving, regardless of the age of the care recipient can be broken down into six primary tasks: assessment, organization, planning, communication, scheduling and monitoring – a big list, but very doable! Fortunately, many companies now offer assistance and tools to aid their employees with caregiving tasks. Be sure to ask your company’s Human Resource Department if they offer an eldercare benefit to aid family caregivers. Sign up for it, if they have one, or ask them to add the CareGiverHelper Elder Care Benefit Program if they don’t have one already. Luckily, as a Grand Magazine subscriber you have FREE access to all the tools and resources at CareGiverHelper where you can establish a private and secure online family community. This provides families a way to keep track of vital information with a simple tool for storing medical, legal, financial, insurance and other pertinent documents. It also has scheduling, calendar and communications features and a way to invite other members of the family to share information. CareGiverHelper also gives families access to a whole palette of valuable services, tools and information such as assistive devices, in home support, adult day care; or other services to make your caregiving task easier and your days more productive. The tools provide families with a reasoned approach that result in improved outcomes for loved ones and caregivers alike. So sign up for your family community today. “Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.” –William Arthur Ward

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GRAND Magazine - September 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - September 2009