Accessing the Aging Network from a Distance

Daria Sawochka, Caregiver Outreach and Support

In King County, free, confidential information and assistance is available for seniors and their families by calling Senior Information & Assistance. But what do you do if an elder lives across the country?

Senior Information & Assistance (I&A) programs throughout the United States work cooperatively to ensure that individuals 60 years of age or better, and their families, receive the support they need. Senior I&A Caregiver Advocates can connect people with their counterparts anywhere in the country. They in turn help family members find local community resources for loved ones.

Recently, a Caregiver Advocate received a call from a son here in Seattle with concerns about his parents, both in their 80s and living in Montana. His mother's memory appeared to be declining rapidly. His dad was the mother's sole caretaker and the dad sounded increasingly exhausted when the son called. The dad was attempting to meet his wife's care needs by himself. The Caregiver Advocate in Seattle was able to locate a local Caregiver Support Program in Montana, which eventually assisted his parents with in-home services, respite and other community options. The son is now relieved because he knows there is someone helping his parents remain independent for as long as possible.

Depending upon the program, Caregiver Advocates can meet with a caregiver and offer information about community resources. Caregivers are encouraged to utilize the full range of services available to them, as well as to the older persons or children for whom they provide care. In Seattle, Caregiver Advocates provide outreach, education, service coordination, one-on-one consultation and community/workplace presentations. They are available to respond in person, by telephone, or email to requests concerning information needed by caregivers.

The support and information needed to take care of loved ones is just a phone call away. To find Senior Advocates in other cities, call Senior Information & Assistance at the Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens (206-684-0500) or Senior Services of Seattle/King County (1-888-4ELDERS), or go to www.eldercare.gov on the Web.

Daria Sawochka, Senior Services of Seattle/King County, Caregiver Outreach and Support Program. (Reprinted from the Summer 2006 Spotlight, Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens)