Stage Two, Section 2: Help From Faith Communities

Many faiths consider their members and staff to be a faith community in which everyone has a responsibility to the other members and sometimes to the broader community outside. Many congregations are becoming more aware of the needs of their caregiving members. If you and your care receiver have a place of worship, keep staff and friends there informed about your caregiving situation. If you are not affiliated with a place of worship, opportunities for help can still be available.

Help from faith communities may include:

• Group meetings and outings for seniors. You and your care receiver may be able to attend some activities together, or perhaps someone can stay with your care receiver so that you can go and enjoy the fellowship and mental stimulation.

• Tapes of services. If you miss services while caregiving, ask whether audiotapes or videotapes are available. Some caregivers find a sense of emotional and spiritual comfort by experiencing the service at home.

• Visitation. If you would value visits, calls, or cards from staff or members of the faith community, then you need to let them know that this would be appreciated. Let them know that you appreciate their thoughts, prayers, and support. Don't assume that everyone is aware of your situation or feels comfortable initiating contact with you.

• Caregiving ministry. Some places of worship are developing caregiving ministries that go beyond visitation, such as providing respite care. Some faith communities are also reaching out to neighbors around their building whether they attend that place of worship or not. You will need to ask about what is available.

• Counseling. Many places of worship provide counseling with clergy or other trained counselors by appointment.

• Television/radio. Faith based programming is available on local and cable television and is broadcast on the radio.

As the caregiver, you have to:

• Investigate the available faith-based options.

• Let people in the faith community know that you are a caregiver and communicate your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs as a caregiver and those of your care receiver.