Project Independence (PI) is Vermont’s first adult day center, established in 1975 and serving adults from Washington and northern Orange counties. PI provides a warm, stimulating, and home-like atmosphere for individuals to spend the day; engaging with others in a safe community through activities, exercise, entertainment, and delicious meals. We are fondly referred to by participants as “the club” and a “big family”.

As aging populations worldwide are on the increase and estimated to approach 2 billion by 2050, chances are you or somebody close to you has become part of this statistic. While we would like to gracefully transition into our adult years with physical health, emotional vitality and financial security; harsh realities often hit and we may find our independence being threatened due to chronic illness, disability and the sometimes harsh realities of advancing age. At the same time isolation and loneliness can move in upon us rather insidiously, depriving us of life satisfaction
and purpose.

While social engagement is known to have a profound positive impact on an individual’s sense of wellbeing, conversely social disengagement has been reported to be associated with higher risks
of mental health complications, cognitive impairment and mortality. Additionally, statistics directly correlate the health and stress levels of the caregiver with that of the person being cared
for.

At PI skilled professional staff members lead creative activities and provide individualized care in a way that respects each person as they are, accepting disabilities and challenges as a universal
part of being human. Additionally, we offer extensive resources for caregivers through individual sessions and a dynamic monthly support group. The combination of services instills a sense of
purpose for the participant and gives caregivers necessary breathing space and support to become more healthy and flexible in their caregiving roles.

If you or someone you know has become isolated and lost their connection to the people and events in life that offer meaning, enjoyment and healthy challenge, reach out to the professionals
at PI today. Make a complimentary lunch appointment, come in for a tour and begin a conversation about how to make a difference in the lives of others. Allow the staff of PI to answer your questions and begin paving the way to a healthier more satisfying lifestyle.

Project Independence offers a solution for isolation and loneliness

Caregiving is an emotional journey for the caregiver and the person receiving the care. Throughout the journey, it is easy to become so involved in the physical caregiving that we don’t make time to acknowledge and work through the emotions. Often times a caregiver can experience a wide range of emotions in a very short time span. The person being cared for also experiences all these emotions and as the caregiver, you want to be able to offer love, reassurance, and support to them. To be able to support others, first you must care for yourself emotionally.

Here are some of the common, often hard to admit, feelings caregivers experience and suggestions for coping.

• Ambivalence – The feeling of both wanting to do the caregiving and the feeling of not wanting to do it.
• Coping: Allow yourself to feel both sets of feelings; everyone has these feelings sometimes. They won’t last forever.
• Anger – Have you ever “lost it” while providing care? Anger and frustration are a normal part of being around someone who needs help on an ongoing basis. Sometimes anger ”just comes out”.
• Coping: Forgive yourself and find constructive ways to express yourself. Learn to walk away and give yourself a “time out” Identify supportive people you can talk to who will listen to you vent about what happened.
• Depression/Sadness – Caregivers are at risk of depression. Sometimes this is a feeling of hopelessness, the inability to sleep or sleeping too much, struggling to get up and face another day or wanting to cry.
• Coping: Depression is treatable. If you think you may be depressed, talk to you physician, join a caregiver support group, find a counselor who understands caregiving. Include an exercise program as moving your body is a proven way to relieve some of the symptoms of depression.
• Fear – Caregivers take on a huge amount of responsibility and along with that comes the fear of what could happen. What if something happens to me? Am I responsible for things that go wrong? What if I can’t do it anymore?
• Coping: It’s important to have contingency plans; so it might make sense to have a back-up caregiver in place in case something happens to you. Check into area homes/facilities that offer respite care and think about how you would handle a medical emergency based on the disabilities the person your caring for has. It is also helpful to talk with someone who knows your situation.
• Loneliness – The longer you are a caregiver, the more isolated you can become. It is quite easy to lose your sense of self and see yourself only as a caregiver.
• Coping: Learn about resources from your local Area Agency on Aging (CVCOA) about respite programs or Adult Day programs that can help you get a well-deserved break. Look at your wider circle of family, friends, neighbors and spiritual connections to see where you might get some nurturing.

These are just a few of the emotions involved in being a caregiver; for more information go to https//www.caregiver.org/emotional-side-caregiving

Tips for getting the support needed to be a successful caregiver:

• Reach out to family, friends and neighbors for support and someone to talk to
• Talk with your Physician
• Join a Caregiver Support Group
• Central VT Council on Aging (CVCOA) can help with determining what resources are available
• Central VT Home Health and Hospice (CVHHH) can help with determining what resources are available
• Project Independence Adult Day Program – offers services Mon – Fri from 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The information in this article comes from personal experience and from Family Caregiver Alliance.
(https://www.caregiver.org)