Resource Library

4 Secret Benefits of Volunteering

We all live busy lives, and finding the time to volunteer can sound like a challenge. However, when you weigh the benefits of performing volunteer work, it’s easy to see how helping others really does help you. In fact, you might quickly find that volunteer work enhances your life so much, that finding the time no longer feels like a challenge!

Many human behavior experts have studied topics such as happiness, helping others, and satisfaction in life, and plenty of evidence suggests a strong link between volunteering and positive emotions. One recent study by the London School of Economics evaluated the link between volunteering and happiness in American adults, and found that more volunteer work equaled greater overall happiness.

Compared with a control group of test subjects who never volunteered, those who did donate their time at least once per month demonstrated a 7% higher likelihood of feeling “very happy”. Those who volunteered more often (every two to four weeks) were 12% more likely to report high levels of happiness. And those who volunteered on a weekly basis are 16% more likely to feel very happy.

The researchers concluded that the more time we spend volunteering, the happier we are likely to feel. That’s an impressive enough conclusion on its own, but then the study was compared with similar research on income levels in relation to happiness. The increase in satisfaction reported by those who volunteer once per week was close to the increase in happiness reported by those who earn $75,000 to $100,000, over people who earn $20,000 annually. In other words, volunteering just once per week could make you as happy as quadrupling your salary!

You might be wondering why volunteer work would have such a drastic effect on life satisfaction. The answers to that question could be as diverse as the study subjects, but we tend to recognize four main points with regard to volunteer work and happiness:

  • You feel more socially connected
  • The work is good for both your mind and body
  • Volunteering can be fun, and provides a sense of personal fulfillment
  • The work experience and social networking can help to advance your career

 

Ideally, volunteer work should be suited to your individual strengths and talents, as well as your personal interests. The good news is that there are as many ways to volunteer, as there are individual personalities. Some might enjoy a social role, while others love the rush of physical labor, while shy types often prefer to work behind the scenes.

Hospice of the Valleys has over 100 active volunteers.  As Larry, one of our Patient Support Volunteers says, “Being a volunteer for Hospice of the Valleys has so many rewards for me.  I feel that I am there to help comfort and support the families I visit, but in turn I receive so much love back.”

As a trusted member of our community, Hospice of the Valleys, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) has been providing hospice care to the Inland Valley and Fallbrook for over 34 years. If you’re interested in volunteer work, please give us a call at 951-200-7800. We can certainly find an opportunity that suits you!

7 Reasons Why Caregivers Should Consider Joining a Support Group

As a caregiver, you have probably been reminded many times that you must make the time to take care of yourself, too. After all, if you aren’t healthy, then taking care of another person becomes nearly impossible. But it might feel as though you’ve simply been issued another assignment, just one more task to cram into your already packed schedule. “Take care of yourself” sounds like a good idea, but its practical applications can present yet another obstacle.

That’s why it’s so important for you to find a good caregiver support group. Support groups fulfill many important purposes, but the “group” part is the most important. Through a support group, you can take care of your own needs, but you aren’t doing it alone. You are supported by a group of people who are experiencing, or have experienced, very similar life situations. They, too, are providing care to someone with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or a terminal illness.

A support group might meet on a weekly or monthly basis, for just an hour or two, but the benefits can be numerous:

  • Access information from people who are further along in their caregiving journeys, and therefore have valuable insight to offer
  • Keep you “in the know” about news and opportunities pertaining to your situation
  • Find fulfillment in helping others, who are just beginning their caregiving roles
  • Learn about community resources that can help you and your loved one
  • Break up your routine, and help you expand your social life
  • Prevent boredom, loneliness, and depression
  • Help you establish a network of caring friends, whom you can call for help or support outside of meetings

Of course, many caregivers find it difficult to get out of the house and attend regular, in-person meetings. Online support groups are accessible 24 hours per day from the comfort of your own home, making them the ideal fit for caregivers with little free time. It’s really best if you can find some way to make it to real-life gatherings, at least occasionally, but online support groups can help to fill in the gaps between meetings.

As a member of one of our Hospice of the Valleys support groups so eloquently said, “I lost my husband five months ago and the first Christmas without him is going to be hard. But this group let’s me come back. They walked me through my caregiving and they are and have been a blessing and a lifesaver. That’s why I keep coming, so I can be of help to those who are just starting to provide care to a dementia patient. It makes all the difference.”

As a trusted member of our community, Hospice of the Valleys, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) has been providing hospice care to the Inland Valley and Fallbrook for over 34 years. Please call us for senior community resources, or for information about hospice care. We’re here to help. 951-200-7800.

Dementia and Hospice Care

Dementia is often a difficult topic to discuss, because it’s technically a collective term that denotes symptoms of over 70 different medical conditions. Dementia refers to a set of behaviors which can show up in many elderly and chronically ill patients, making it a common scenario that we encounter. And yet, the signs and symptoms of dementia can be unique to each patient.

When you hear that your loved one has dementia, you might wonder exactly what you will encounter. You’re right to have these thoughts, because as we said, dementia can vary a great deal from one patient to another. Having said that, we do know that the most common presentation of dementia is the Alzheimer’s type.

In the vast majority of cases, Alzheimer’s follows a very predictable progression over the course of about ten years. Your loved one will progress through seven stages of the disease, starting at Stage One. In early stages, symptoms are usually mild. At Stage Six, the disease process becomes very identifiable. At this point, the patient becomes frequently confused, might become lost in their own home, and they begin to lose control of bowel and bladder functions. They are still walking around, talking and eating and often acting pretty normally, but they will gradually lose more and more functions.

By the time the patient has entered Stage Seven, they are usually within the last few months to year of their life span. We actually divide Stage Seven into stages A, B, C, and so on.
By Stage Seven C, the patient cannot make their needs known through language, and they generally cannot walk any longer. They might still be eating, smiling, and sitting up briefly, but at this point we begin to seriously consider Hospice care. We have now reached the point that the disease will only progress forward, often quite rapidly. The patient and his or her loved ones now need the supportive care provided by Hospice workers.

As a trusted member of the community, Hospice of the Valleys has been providing hospice care to the Inland Valley and Fallbrook for over 34 years. Please call us for senior community resources, or for information about hospice care. We’re here to help. 951-200-7800.

Dementia and the Hospice Patient from Hospice of the Valleys on Vimeo.

What is Hospice Care?

When you hear about someone receiving hospice care, what do you picture? Hospice care is not a place you go, or a particular medical provider whom you visit. Hospice care is a philosophy that applies to those who suffer from terminal illnesses, or those for whom there is no cure.

The number one goal of hospice care is to surround the patient, and address their pain and suffering. Their symptoms, which can cause considerable physical pain and discomfort, should remain the focus of care. Their fears, which contribute to emotional pain, should also receive attention.

Hospice care ensures that those who are severely ill and dying can receive a wide range of supportive services in their own homes. Doctors, nurses, spiritual care providers, home health aides, and social workers join with loved ones to help provide specialized care. We want each day to be as good as possible, with pain well managed so that spiritual and emotional needs can be addressed. Additional services such as bathing and dressing are provided, easing the burden felt by families while helping the ill and elderly to feel more comfortable.

As a trusted member of the community, Hospice of the Valleys has been providing hospice care to the Inland Valley and Fallbrook for over 34 years. Please call us for senior community resources, or for information about hospice care. We’re here to help. 951-200-7800.

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Hospice of the Valleys: Over Forty Years of Service

Over forty years ago, two sisters recognized a need in our community. They founded Hospice of the Valleys, a nonprofit hospice, so that those who are sick and dying would never have to feel alone. Our founders believed strongly in reducing pain and suffering for those at end of life. What began as a volunteer program continues to this day with our Hospice Team including:

  • Hospice Physician
  • Case Manager, RN
  • Medical Social Worker
  • Spiritual Care Provider
  • Home Health Aide
  • Volunteer
  • Bereavement Counselor

 

Hospice of the Valleys continues the strong tradition of volunteers. Our volunteers provide support and care for those who are ill, both at their bedside and behind the scenes in our office.

 

As a trusted member of our community, Hospice of the Valleys, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) has been providing hospice care to the Inland Valley and Fallbrook for over 40 years. Please call us for senior community resources, or for information about hospice care. We’re here to help. 951-200-7800.

How to Choose a Caregiver Agency

If you’re providing care to an elderly or sick loved one, at some point you will consider hiring help. It might be because you need to work a full time job, or maybe you just need backup on the weekends. Whatever your reasons, choosing a caregiver can be a complicated decision. You want to hire a truly caring person, who is devoted to this career path, rather that someone who just wants to make a few extra bucks. If you’re choosing a caregiver for your loved one, follow these steps to select the right person for the job.

Make a list of your specific needs. Caregivers are human, and like anyone else, have their own strengths and weaknesses. In order to ensure a good fit for your situation, assess the duties you expect a caregiver to perform. Will they be driving your loved one to appointments? Will you need this person to perform house cleaning duties? Will they help your loved one in the bathroom? How mobile is your loved one? Will the caregiver need to be sturdy and strong, to help them move about the home and community? Make a list of the duties you expect this person to perform.

Check references. Ask all applicants to supply a work history – and then actually call these references! You would be surprised at the number of people who forget to complete this important step. You’re looking for someone both skilled and dependable, but also honest and compassionate. The right caregiver will exhibit both professional and personal characteristics that make them a good fit for your family.

Check for appropriate licensing. When selecting a caregiving agency, check that their employees have a criminal background check, are appropriately licensed. In addition, when selecting a caregiving agency, make sure they are licensed and bonded.

Invite your loved one into the process. If your loved one is able to make sound decisions, ask for his or her opinion. Sometimes, a patient and caregiver simply “click” for personal reasons, and you want their personalities to be a good fit.

Monitor your new caregiver. Drop in to check on your loved one, and ask for periodic reports from your caregiver or their agency. It is your right to be informed of everything pertaining to your loved one’s daily life and care.

Give us a call. The hiring process for a caregiver can be time-consuming and difficult. We maintain a network of professionals and resources that can help guide you toward the decisions that work for you.

As a trusted member of the community, Hospice of the Valleys has been providing hospice care to the Inland Valley and Fallbrook for over 34 years. Please call us for senior community resources, or for information about hospice care. We’re here to help. 951-200-7800

6 Tips for Avoiding Caregiver Burnout: Is it Time to Ask for Help?

For months, or maybe years now, you’ve served as the primary caregiver for an elderly or sick loved one. But at some point, you begin to notice signs of caregiver burnout: You’re stressed, depressed, lonely, or even getting sick yourself. It’s time to take the right steps toward taking care of yourself, so that you can stay healthy and continue to care for your relative.

Don’t quit your job. Your job provides you with the income you need, a sense of purpose, and even a social outlet. The long term consequences of quitting your job can be devastating, to both your emotional state as well as your finances. Ask for help, either by hiring a fill-in caregiver or communicating with your boss about your need for flex time, before taking such a drastic step. If you’ve already stopped working, consider options that will allow you to return to the workplace.

Join a support network. Find a local support group for people in your situation, and attend meetings regularly. If you can’t find such a group, or the meetings are too inconvenient, an online support group can also fill this role.

Try a form of mass communication. Your caregiving duties are numerous, and you need to reduce extra “busy work” when you can. Repeating the same news over and over again is exhausting and time consuming. Ask family and friends to join a private Facebook group where you can post news once, or use a site like CaringBridge to share updates. It’s great that everyone wants to know how the latest surgery or treatment went, but there is no need to keep you on the phone for hours each time a new development occurs.

Don’t give up your interests. You have your own needs, and no one expects you to neglect them. Continue any hobbies you enjoy, keep exercising, attend your church groups, have coffee with a friend… If something is a part of your regular routine, continue it. In fact, you might even need to add a fun, distracting activity to your schedule. It can help you reduce stress and stay socially connected.

Take care of your own health. You’re probably sick of doctor appointments, but you still have to attend your own. See your physician for regular checkups, make healthful food choices, go for a walk each day, and resist the temptation to soothe your nerves with alcohol or cigarettes. You need to stay healthy now, more than ever.

Enlist help. As you can see, you need to pursue some activities outside of the home, in order to take care of yourself and avoid burnout. Usually, this means you need to hire a caregiver to substitute for you. Contact us for additional resources, so that you can get the backup help you need.

As a trusted member of the community, Hospice of the Valleys has been providing hospice care to the Inland Valley and Fallbrook for over 34 years. Please call us for senior community resources, or for information about hospice care. We’re here to help.  951-200-7800

6 Signs of Caregiver Burnout

When we were all babies, our parents devoted themselves to taking care of us. But at some point later in life, that role often reverses, with children taking care of aging or sick parents. Just as parents of small children often feel overwhelmed and say that they need a break, caring for an older relative is usually no easier.

And yet, we often have trouble recognizing or admitting that we suffer from caregiver burnout. That’s probably due, at least in part, to the fact that society often focuses on parenting dilemmas, while ignoring the needs of those caring for elderly relatives. If you’re playing the role of caregiver for a parent or other relative, take a few moments to assess your own mental and emotional health. Have you noticed any of these signs of caregiver burnout?

You feel anxious or stressed. You worry frequently, you’re losing sleep, you feel as though you’re doing too much all at once, or you’re even experiencing outbursts of anger.

You’re exhausted. You’re tired all the time, and you might be getting sick more often, too.

Your mood has changed. You feel irritable, cranky, sad, lonely, or out of control.

You’re depressed. You feel sad, “for no reason”, or you don’t experience joy anymore. You rarely laugh or feel happy. You feel as though you just go through the motions every day, and life has no meaning.

You feel out of touch. You don’t engage in activities you used to enjoy, and you aren’t sure of the last time you spoke to a friend or attended a social gathering.

You’ve lost or gained more than ten pounds. A small amount of weight fluctuation is normal for all of us. A gain or loss of more than ten pounds can be a sign of an emotional or health crisis.

Caregiver burnout happens when you’ve been so busy tending to the needs of someone else, that your own needs have been overlooked or forgotten. For some reason, many people feel guilty to admit that they are suffering caregiver burnout. But remember, you’re human too; you have needs, and it’s okay to ask for help.

In fact, seeking help is the best thing you can do for not only yourself, but also the person for whom you are providing care! After all, if you push yourself beyond reasonable limits, you could get very sick yourself. Caring for yourself helps you to stay healthy, so that you can continue to oversee the care of your loved one.

If you’re experiencing caregiver burnout, don’t be afraid to ask for help. In future articles, we’ll discuss how to get the help you need, so that you can keep yourself and your loved one healthy and happy.

As a trusted member of the community, Hospice of the Valleys has been providing hospice care to the Inland Valley and Fallbrook for over 34 years. Please call us for senior community resources, or for information about hospice care. We’re here to help.  951-200-7800

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