American Red Cross Offers New
Guide for Family Caregiving
No one can ever be sure when they may one day be responsible for the daily
or even hourly care of another. A parent who is aging, a spouse with a chronic
illness, a loved one with a disability resulting from an accident –
are all situations where one can suddenly be called on as the caregiver providing
regular medical and physical support. Being a caregiver can be challenging
but with the proper resources it can be an opportunity to provide comfort
and solace when it is needed most. That is why the
American Red Cross developed Family Caregiving, a special reference guide
and DVD to help people give loved ones and those depending on them the highest
quality of care.
Family Caregiving is an essential guide on how to perform regular caregiving
tasks with compassion, skill and confidence. The guide provides comprehensive
step-by-step instructions on a variety of topics such as preparing a safe
living environment; safely administering medications; how to prevent injuries
in those less mobile; healthy nutrition and how to deal with important financial
and legal issues. Along with the guide’s instructions on vital caregiving
skills, the DVD includes first aid training for some of the most common medical
emergencies including choking, stroke and heart attack.
“As our population continues to live longer, more and more of us will
find ourselves responsible for the day-to-day quality of life for our parents
or even spouses,” says Jean Erdtmann, R.N., American Red Cross. “You
can only meet their needs – and your own – if you are properly
prepared. Family Caregiving gives you the tools and knowledge to make the
role of caregiver much easier.”
Not only is Family Caregiving an important resource on how to care for others
it also pays particular attention to the health and well being of those giving
care. In a special section, Caring for the Caregiver, the guide offers tips
on how to identify stress, ways to cope with challenging situations and resources
available to help caregivers get through complex times.
“This book helps families navigate the complex world of long-term caregiving,
and offers a wide array of useful, straightforward information,” says
Kathleen Kelly, executive director of the Family Caregiver Alliance in San
Francisco, CA. “Families and caregivers will be encouraged by the prevailing
message: ‘You can do this.’ ”
The Family Caregiving guide and DVD is available through Red Cross chapters
and the Red Cross
online store.
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims
of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped
U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost
4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of
blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part
of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in
humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency;
it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
