The rapidly aging demographic of our population has led to some important awareness about the hardships upon those who caretake for elderly loved ones. Caretaking is an exhausting task that can put caretakers at risk for burn-out and exacerbate their own health issues.
It is critical that caretakers get support, both practical respite care as well as emotional understanding and functional education.
When you have a loved one who is mentally ill - the task of caretaking may be just as great. Family members often react in anger or fear when they don't comprehend a person's symptoms. Or, they oft go in the other extreme, going out of their way to "baby" the ill person out of concerns that they are "sick". Neither extreme is helpful. Punishing someone who is ill does not make them better. But treating a person who is ill yet, still intelligent and functional, as if they were totally disabled can be enabling and insulting.
Basica mental health education for family members can go a long way in making life healthier for everyone.
Locally in the Tri Cities area, there is an upcoming Family-to-Family Education program run by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Family Education and Resource Center (FERC).
This series of 12 classes will help caregivers understand and support individuals who are suffering from serious mental illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective or schzophrenia, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, OCD, and panic disorders). It will also address how to best support your ill loved one while maintaining your own long term well being.
The course is taught by trained volunteers who share your experience of having a loved one who is struggling with one of these mental disorders.
This FREE training series will begin August 31, 2011 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in Union City
For Detailed information and to pre-register (registration required as spaces are limited):
Michelle Wms-Smith (510)790-1010 or [email protected]
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