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Contact:
Donna
Scherner/LeJane Carson
Carson Stoga
Communications
847.884.0000
For Immediate Release
November is National Caregivers
Month
Wyndemere Senior Living Campus Offers Caregivers a Well-Deserved
Break
WHEATON, Ill. (August 10, 2005) -
Perhaps it's a last minute out of town business trip, that long-awaited
vacation to get away from it all or some well needed alone time in your
own home.
Regardless of the situation,
respite care (temporary, short-term) for seniors is a hot (and sometimes
unknown) commodity for the more than 44.4 million American adults who care
for another adult (often an aging relative). The following results were
found in a recent study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the
AARP:
- Many caregivers fulfill multiple roles. Most caregivers are married
or living with a partner (62%), and most have worked and managed
caregiving responsibilities at the same time (74%).
- Women are more likely to experience emotional stress as a result of
caregiving than men (40% vs. 26% in the highest levels of stress
rating).
- Many caregivers (up to 45%) give up vacations, hobbies, or their own
social activities.
- The most frequently reported difficulties of caregivers:
- Finding time for themselves - 35%
- Managing emotional and physical stress - 29%
- Balancing work & family - 29%
"Respite care for a live-in parent
is often the perfect solution for a caregiver who needs a well-deserved
break," says Shirley Pollard, director of Westbridge Assisted Living. Both
Westbridge and Wynscape Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on the Wyndemere
Senior Living Campus, offer respite care services for a day or two, or
even up to several months.
"The caregiver can get the break
they need with complete peace of mind knowing that their family member
will be cared for and have interaction with others" says
Pollard.
Respite care is often an
"audition" for more permanent living arrangements, according to Randalynn
Kaye, director of marketing for Wyndemere Senior Living Campus. "Many
times, we will have short-term respite residents decide that their new
living environment provides them with more of what they really want in
life, like camaraderie, interaction and stimulation with people of all
ages. They really enjoy the activities and feel so much more alive and
vibrant than during a typical day of sitting alone in front of the
television waiting for their son or daughter to return home from work,"
she said. "This becomes a 'win-win' for both the parents and their adult
children."
According to Kaye, demand for
respite care service continues to grow at a significant rate each year.
"Resource and support groups available to caregivers have done a good job
at educating many caregivers about respite options and the importance of
taking care of themselves in order to take better care of their loved
ones, however, there are still a significant amount of caregivers that
simply don't know about respite care" says Kaye. To encourage caregivers
to take care of themselves during National Caregivers Month, Wyndemere
Senior Living Campus works with a local spa to offer a complimentary
service for caregivers who take advantage of respite care services at
Wyndemere during the month of November.
The cost for respite care is very
much in line with a typical hotel stay, varying from $135 - $175 per day.
Included are three meals a day in the dining room, medication reminders,
and assistance with activities of daily living, as requested.
Wyndemere Senior Living Campus is
located at 200 Wyndemere Circle in Wheaton, Ill. and is a vital part of
the Central DuPage Hospital network. A nationally accredited community,
Wyndemere promotes independent living and a worry-free lifestyle, by
offering an exceptional living experience with a wide range of amenities
and services for residents throughout Chicago's western suburbs. Together
with Westbridge Assisted Living, Wynscape Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center and Rehab Track at Wynscape, this senior living campus provides
comprehensive care for seniors. For more information on respite care,
visit www.WyndemereSeniorLiving.com or call 630.690.8889.
*National Family Caregivers Month
(NFC Month) - observed every November - is a nationally recognized month
that seeks to draw attention to the many challenges facing family
caregivers, advocate for stronger public policy to address family
care-giving issues, and raise awareness about community programs that
support family caregivers. NFC Month is a time to thank, support, educate,
and celebrate more than 50 million family caregivers across the
country.
This November, NFCA will introduce
a new theme for NFC Month, Caring Every Day. This theme corresponds with a
new campaign from NFCA, The Caring Every Day Campaign. The Caring Every
Day Campaign encourages family caregivers to take three steps every day to
make their lives easier, improve care and raise awareness about their
continued love and commitment. The three steps include:
Believe in
Yourself.
Protect Your Health.
Reach Out for
Help. *Source - National Family Caregivers Association, http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/ |