Running on Empty? Caregiver Help in Pennsylvania

Signs you may be running on empty

The National Institute on Aging lists common signs of caregiver stress. (NIA: Tips for caregivers)

• Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or anxious most of the time
• Getting angry or impatient more easily
• Feeling lonely or cut off from others
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling sad or hopeless
• Frequent headaches or pain
• No time to exercise or cook healthy food
• Skipping your own care, like doctor visits
• Using alcohol or drugs to cope

If you see yourself in this list, it does not mean you are failing. It means you are carrying a lot. If you have health worries of your own, talk with your doctor.

Small steps that help

The NIA suggests a few basic things: move your body a little each day, eat well and drink water, aim for seven to nine hours of sleep, and set aside some time each week for something you enjoy that has nothing to do with caregiving. (NIA)

Even 20 minutes counts. A walk around the block. A phone call with a friend. A nap while someone else sits with your loved one.

It also helps to write down what you do in a normal week. When a friend asks how they can help, you can point to one clear task, like picking up a prescription or sitting in for an afternoon.

Pennsylvania's Caregiver Support Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging runs a Caregiver Support Program. It is run through your local Area Agency on Aging. Both the caregiver and the person receiving care must live in Pennsylvania. (PA: Caregiver Support Program)

The program serves several kinds of caregivers. (PA Department of Aging eligibility chart)

• Caregivers age 18 or older caring for someone 60 or older who needs help with at least one daily activity, like bathing or dressing
• Caregivers age 18 or older caring for someone of any age with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder
• Grandparents and other relatives (not parents) age 55 or older raising a child under 18
• Relatives age 55 or older caring for an adult age 18 to 59 with a disability

The local office will look at your situation and tell you what you can get. To apply, you contact your county's Area Agency on Aging.

In Chester County: the Department of Aging Services

Chester County's Area Agency on Aging is the Chester County Department of Aging Services. It serves people age 60 and older and their families. Services include caregiver support, case management, and help finding local programs. (Chester County guide to aging services)

• Phone: 610-344-6350
• Toll free: 1-800-692-1100, ext. 6350
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 601 Westtown Road, Suite 130, West Chester, PA 19380
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

When you call, it helps to have a few notes ready: who you care for, their age, what help they need each day, and what is hardest for you right now.

If your loved one lives in another state

Many families care for someone far away. The Eldercare Locator is a free public service of the U.S. Administration for Community Living. It connects you with local help anywhere in the country, like meals, home care, rides, caregiver training, and respite. Call 1-800-677-1116, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern, or search at eldercare.acl.gov. Spanish speakers and interpreters for many languages are available. (Eldercare Locator contact page)

When it feels like too much

Caregiving can bring dark days. If you are in emotional distress or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, private, and open 24 hours a day. You can also call if you are worried about someone else.

How Vita Advocate can help

Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start. We can help you make a plan, sort the calls and forms, and keep track of appointments, so you have more room to breathe. Learn about our caregiver support and planning services. Vita Advocate provides non-clinical support and does not offer medical, legal, or financial advice.