Tag Archives: caregiver center

Photo: Pixabay

I’m always interested in seeing how local communities are addressing the needs of caregivers. While it might be more convenient if such programs we’re centralized, there is quite a bit of innovation taking place at the community level that probably wouldn’t be possible with the red tape associated with federal government projects.

I was reading about the first caregivers center on Long Island, which is set to launch next year. The Family Caregiving Center will open at the Peconic Bay Medical Center in early 2018, providing caregivers with information on local resources, education seminars and counseling from care coaches.

Long Island, like other communities that are spread out geographically and lack efficient transportation options, faces challenges in serving its caregiver community. The caregiver center’s dedicated space will offer a respite for weary caregivers, while their loved ones are receiving hospital services.

The program’s director said while the hospital has been offering a family caregiver support group for the past few years, it’s become apparent that caregivers need more support. The director said it was a poignant conversation with a patient that really drove that point home. When she was sitting at a patient’s bedside in the ICU, she asked the patient if there was anything she could do to help. The man said his daughter could use support. He said that while he was receiving great support as a patient, his daughter wasn’t receiving any help as a caregiver.

That man’s selfless request helped spark the creation of the Family Caregiving Center. It will no doubt help many families for years to come.