Benevilla understands when adult children take on the new role of caregiver for their aging parents there are many questions. They can find themselves having to make big decisions affecting how their parents are cared for during the last years of their lives. There are new responsibilities and added stress. What kind of care is needed or available for parents no longer independent at home? How can their medical and financial needs be met? Where will their parents be most comfortable?
Many adult children are often left without direction in estate planning and medical care when a parent is no longer able to care for themselves. They can even face role reversal where the aging parent wants the adult child to make the decisions for them, especially in scenarios where early dementia or debilitating illness is involved. To support this growing sector of our population, Benevilla is starting a new Support Group for the community for “Adult Children Who Are Caregivers for Parents.”
This new Benevilla program brings together people who share the same obstacles and are looking for the same answers. Starting May 14th, this new group meets at 6:30PM the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. In response to the COVIC-19 pandemic, this support group will meet via telephone by calling the new Benevilla Support Group Line at (623) 259-0505. Once, government restrictions on social gathering are lifted and Benevilla Support Groups again meet in person, the group will meet at the Benevilla Sun City West office located at 13576 Camino Del Sol, #22, Sun City West, AZ, 85375.
It can be difficult for adult children to know when to step in the role of caregiver for their parents.” says Connie Danks, Support Group Coordinator for Benevilla. “We hope by bringing together individuals with similar challenges we can ease their burden and bring to light new ways to assess their circumstances and plan for the future. Our Benevilla Support Groups use a respectful and interactive process to identify personal obstacles and create a course of action for caregivers to make informed decisions to meet the responsibilities of caring for an older parent.”
This group is facilitated by Connie Danks, MA and is open to anyone caring for a loved one. Join other adult children caregivers to brainstorm ideas, highlight successes and give support to one another through the process of sharing.
For more information or to sign up for this support group, please call the Benevilla C.A.R.E.S. Program at (623) 584 4999, email cares@benevilla.org or visit www.Benevilla.org.