Care Giver Support Resources

From time to time through the stages of life, we are thrust into the role of care giver. It can be quite daunting to us and put a lot of stress on our family and our relationships. Some of the care we are asked to provide may be beyond our means physically, emotionally or even financially. We must also deal with the whole spiritual dimension of beginning to lose a loved one, either in terms of relationships once shared or as a result of the simple decline of health.

There are resources available to call upon as you take the path of being a care giver. We will try to list some of those here, which are available either through the community or the Catholic network of resources.

Catholic Charities

The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese has an Aging-Caregiver Respite/Support Program for those over 60 or under 60, if suffering from Dementia. Contact Barb Johnson at (651) 215-2205.

 

Plymouth Senior Center

Plymouth Senior Center has a Caregiver Support Group, which meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the Plymouth Creek Center. They also offer one-on-one Caregiver Coaching. Contact Susan Makela at (763) 509-5284 for more information.

Senior Linkage Line

The Senior Linkage Line at 1 (800) 333-2433 offers many varied services including Caregiver Support, Home Health Care, Transportation, Home Delivered Meals, Health Insurance Counseling and more. This service is sponsored by the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging.

Senior Community Services

Senior Community Services has a contact in just about every community to provide resources to the surrounding community. Contact H.O.M.E at (763) 504-6980.

The Center for Senior Services

The Center for Senior Services has wonderful guides for caregiver survival. Again, they list resources for companion services, case management, transportation, home health care and other services. Contact the Center for Senior Services at (952) 993-5041.

 

Catholic Senior Services

The Archdiocese has just published a Pastoral letter from Archbishop Flynn on the creation of a new system called Catholic Senior Services. This new network will bring existing Catholic organizations together in order to provide a more comprehensive approach to services for seniors. Some new initiatives will be forthcoming from this pastoral response.

Holy Name Pastoral Care

Holy Name Pastoral Care provides pastoral care ministers called Befrienders, who visit the homebound, bring communion to the sick, visit the various senior centers or call upon those who request help.

Anointing of the Sick

Almost quarterly, Holy Name of Jesus provides a communal anointing of the sick sometimes as a part of the Senior Gatherings and other times during the weekend liturgies. Individual anointing of the sick is available upon request from our priests.

Morning Retreat

Each year we provide a Morning Retreat to focus on the spirituality of the Caregiver along with some time for prayer, social interaction and group discussion. In 2008, the retreat will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in the Emmaus Rooms. Father Tim Morin, our pastor, will do the presentation on the Spirituality of the Caregiver. Please RSVP if you plan to attend by calling the Parish Office at (763) 473-7901.

 

Pastoral Counseling

In addition to the above services and programs, Holy Name Pastoral Care provides certified pastoral counseling to those who need someone to help them sort things out, provide therapeutic insight or assist in making decisions regarding the care of a loved one. Contact Bill Rose, Pastoral Care Director, for more information at (763) 475-3484 or via e-mail. Our parish priests are also available for spiritual support during your time of need.

Literature Resources

Care Notes on a whole variety of topics are available in our pamphlet rack at the Church. Our Library also has sections of resources which are updated regularly which deal with care giving.
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