Supporting caregivers eases stress and burnoutby Anne Stokes<\/p>\n
In 2020, Lisa Okamoto noticed her mother having trouble with her mobility and balance. She started checking in on her more often and going to doctor appointments with her. Eventually, they got a diagnosis: Progressive supranuclear palsy, which affects both physical and cognitive abilities. Okamoto stepped up to manage her mother\u2019s care, first finding her a place at a living senior living apartment complex. By 2023 however, her mother needed more intense care so Okamoto brought her to live at home with her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI made a promise to my mom, I told her that I would care for her as long as I possibly could. And it was important for me to be there for her and show her that she was loved, supported and never alone,\u201d Okamoto says. \u201cDespite the many challenges, there were so many beautiful moments. I cherish the quiet conversations, the laughter over old memories and the closeness that we experienced.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like many caregivers, Okamoto says she struggled balancing work, family, stress and navigating the emotional toll caregiving takes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was important for me to be there for her and show her that she was loved, supported and never alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lisa Okamoto, Caregiver<\/p>\n
\u201cCaregiving is more complex and personal than most people realize. It impacts every part of your life, not just your schedule,\u201d Okamoto says. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about providing medical care, it also means managing appointments, advocating in healthcare settings, handling household responsibilities and being a constant emotional support. Caregiving affects everything\u2014family dynamics, relationships, time and even your sense of identity. It becomes a part of who you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even with support from her husband and daughter, Okamoto says managing her mother\u2019s care could be draining and overwhelming, and that she often felt isolated. According to Soojin Yoo, program manager at ACC Senior Services, such burnout is unfortunately common for caregivers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a beautiful goal to help someone age with dignity and live their life on their own terms,\u201d says Yoo. \u201cWatching your loved one going through these changes and declines and then losing your loved one over time can take a huge emotional toll on caregivers.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Soojin Yoo, program manager at ACC Senior Services, works to provide care for caregivers through their Bridge to Healthy Families program, which connects caregivers with supports like peer groups, education, resource navigation and more. Photo by Anne Stokes<\/p>\n
ACC, also known as A Community of Caring, has been providing resources and support for seniors since 1972 and have long known the importance of caring for caregivers. Through their partnership with Agency on Aging Area 4, ACC\u2019s Bridge to Health Families program provides referrals for:<\/p>\n
Respite careCare assessment and consultations with professionalsTransportationPlacement services for assisted living and skilled nursing facilitiesLegal and financial supportsHome modifications<\/p>\n
ACC also facilitates peer support groups for caregivers to share experiences and information, as well as navigation support to help identify any governmental benefits or assistance program eligibility for caregivers and their families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe challenge I hear most often is that caregivers sometimes don\u2019t have time or energy to navigate and then research and then find the service that really matches their specific needs,\u201d Yoo says. \u201cThat\u2019s where we come in to help the families access and then use these resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
Okamoto says she appreciated such support not just for her mother, but for herself. She found connection through ACC\u2019s Powerful Tools for Caregivers class and their case manager helped identify resources Okamoto says she would have otherwise not known about.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a caregiver gave me a deeper perspective on life and a profound appreciation for our elderly. It taught me patience, empathy and the value of presence, lessons I will carry with me always,\u201d she says. \u201cCaring for my mother was an honor, and I would do it all over again without hesitation. The time we shared during those years remain one of the most meaningful experiences in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n