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| Visit our Pinterest page for infomation, self-care tips and humor. |
Connecting
with other caregivers can reduce stress and result in a healthier, more
effective caregiver, and social media plays an important role in informing and
connecting caregivers. Caregiver stress is common and can lead to serious
health problems. However, actively seeking help, information, and support can
reduce stress and loneliness.
Sometimes
caregivers just need someone to talk to, and it can be difficult to physically
attend support groups. Fortunately, support for caregivers can be found online 24
hours a day. Research shows people who take an active, problem-solving approach
to caregiving issues are less likely to feel stressed than those who react by
worrying or feeling helpless, according to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services Office on Women’s Health.
Here
are four ways men and women can connect to others in the caregiver community:
- Facebook is not only for connecting with an existing network of friends and family, but it can help caregivers learn from others who aren’t in their circle of friends. For example, by “liking” an organization’s page or adding caregiving to one’s list of interests, caregivers can see news and comments from others in similar situations.
- Twitter is a great alternative for those who aren’t as comfortable discussing family caregiver topics where people they know can read them. Twitter users can remain anonymous by creating their own names and can follow caregiving experts with a simple click. Topics are easy to search; by typing a word or words in the search bar, a user can see posts by anyone who has added that hash tag to a post.
- The photo-sharing site Pinterest — which lets users browse pin boards, then “like,” comment on or pin them to their own boards — has become a popular way to share humor, inspiration and information. Caregivers can create and browse boards on products and resources, home safety tips, ideas for taking care of themselves and more.
- For users who aren’t interested in joining social networks and setting up profiles, there are blogs and forums dedicated to caregiver education and support. The CareGiver Partnership blog has hundred of articles written for caregivers and seniors, and users can comment and ask questions. In addition, readers can send a question to a medical expert through the Ask Our Physician Assistant feature on its site.
Watch this video welcoming caregivers to our online community.
According
to the National Alliance for Caregiving, 78 percent of caregivers in 2009
reported seeking more help or information about at least one of 14 specific
topics related to caregiving. The areas with the greatest need for more
information include keeping a loved one safe at home, managing their own
emotional/physical stress, easy activities they can do with care recipients,
and finding time for themselves. Of the sources used for caregiving
information, a health or caregiving provider, the Internet, and family, friends
and other caregivers were the most mentioned.
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| Call us. We're here to help. |
About
The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their
loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information
about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of
Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web
site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important
to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate
cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for
incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The
CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wis. Visit
http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.
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