Support For Caregivers

Bonnie Shehan (center) with other attendees at conference breakfast.

What happens when someone is recovering from a serious accident or a severe illness? Generally, part of the care is provided during inpatient hospitalization. But the majority of the healing occurs outside of the hospital, in the home. And sometimes, the person affected, the patient is left with long term disabilities or chronic illnesses. What happens then? Frequently a family member steps into the breach and cares for that loved one.

There are some severe consequences for the caregiver, though. According to Carol Bradley Bursack, an experienced elder caregiver and aging consultant, caregivers can become so stressed and ill themselves that more than 30% die before the person for whom they are caring does. Even when signs of impending illness show up, those caregivers tend to put off medical care for themselves, and so become sicker.



Bonnie Shehan has worked in the nursing field for 23 years and has seen the toll exacted on caregivers firsthand. She envisioned a solution in providing education and support for those caregivers. She planned to build a support center in Indianapolis, which would provide education, support, and fellowship to caregivers on a daily basis. But what to do until the building becomes completed?

Bonnie built a website, THE CAREGIVERS CONNECTION. The site has announcements about support group meetings for caregivers. resource connections, online tools connecting to needed assistance and forms, a newsletter sign-up, progress on the actual building, and a volunteer application form for when the building opens. Meanwhile there is also information about the possibility of a mobile support unit to bridge the gap until the building opens. Of course, if interested in supporting this endeavor, you can also donate to the cause.

With the aging population and the number of disabled veterans and survivors of life-threatening accidents, family and friends, who assume caregiving roles, are becoming more numerous. More ways to address those issues are needed. Bonnie Shehan is off to a good start with her solution.

Frequently a family member or close friend ends up caring for someone with a chronic illness or disability.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/bonnie-shehan-cci-caregivers-support-center/, and background information on this issue from aging.com: http://www.agingcare.com/Discussions/Thirty-Percent-of-Caregivers-Die-Before-The-People-They-Care-For-Do-97626.htm.

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