Caregivers provide support to someone who needs help. It doesn’t matter how many hours per week are spent providing support. Caring for a family member or friend is not something most of us are prepared to do, nor is it easy. Learning about being a caregiver may help you provide the care your friend or loved one needs.
Has your role as a family caregiver ever left you feeling lonely, isolated, stressed, uncertain, confused, overwhelmed or frustrated? If so, that’s normal.
Support groups provide a safe place where you can share your feelings, get
social support, learn from others, discuss skills and learn about local resources.
Marquette
Monthly caregiver/ senior support groups are offered at Mill Creek Clubhouse the third Thursday of the month at 2:00 pm. Please see our Calendar page for more information. Support groups are free and open to all members of the community. The group features a different speaker each month and time for open discussion.
Virtual Caregiver Support Group
This support group, offered by UPCAP is intended specifically for Upper Peninsula family caregivers. The group is facilitated by a moderator and meets virtually from 2:00—3:00 pm EST on the second Tuesday of each month. Registration is required. Please call 906-217-3019
Check out our monthly newsletter full of information, events and resources for caregivers:
You may be caring for someone who needs assistance with day-to-day activities, but can still make their own decisions about personal matters such as any household issues, financial affairs, and medical care.
Being familiar with and understanding your loved one’s personal values and wishes will be important as you become responsible for making decisions for them. Advance care planning is a process that allows people to make decisions about the care you would want to receive if they happen to become unable to communicate them. Advance directives are tools that enable people to write
down their preferences on a legal form and appoint someone to speak for them if they are no longer able. To help ensure peace of mind for your loved one and for the caregiver, it is a good idea to have healthcare power of attorney, financial power of attorney, a living will, and a plan for funeral arrangements planned out in advance.
* If you fall under three or more of the above signs of caregiver burnout call Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice to discuss opportunities to utilize volunteer, respite care, and other services. (906) 225-7760
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Powerful Tools for Caregivers gives you the skills to take care of yourself while caring for someone else. By taking care of your own health and well-being, you become a better caregiver. Six class sessions held once a week are led by experienced class leaders. Class participants are given The Caregiver Helpbook to accompany the class and provide additional caregiver resources. To learn more visit: upcap.org/powerful-tools-for-caregivers
Caregiver Support Consultation
Are you helping someone with health care, personal needs, or household chores? Caregiving for a loved one with chronic health conditions?
Caregiving can be very overwhelming and confusing, especially when you juggle other responsibilities like work, family, and other areas of your life. BRI Care Consultation was created to help caregivers address these challenges. This evidence-based program, developed by the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, helps caregivers by providing guidance, coaching, and information about how to deal with the challenges of caregiving.