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Welcome to OSEC

The Mission of One Source – Empowering Caregivers is to improve quality of life for In-Home Caregivers and their loved ones by providing cost-free, non-medical support while they remain at home in a safe and healthy environment.

A message from Carolyn Seyler OSEC Executive Director.

Surgeon general lays out framework to tackle loneliness and ‘mend the social fabric of our nation’

Source CNN — 

US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory Tuesday addressing the “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” affecting the country and laying out a framework for a “National Strategy to Advance Social Connection.”

The advisory is part of the Biden administration’s broader efforts to address mental health, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday.

“In recent years, about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness,” Murthy says in the advisory. “And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut off so many of us from friends, loved ones, and support systems.”

But social connection can help, Murthy’s office said in a statement, serving as a buffer to health problems while making communities more resilient.

“Loneliness I think of as a great masquerader. It can look like different things,” Murthy told CNN’s Erin Burnett on Monday. “Some people, they become withdrawn. Others become irritable and angry. … I think the time you get concerned is when you start experiencing a feeling of loneliness for prolonged periods of time. If you feel lonely, you pick up the phone and call a friend, and then it goes away, or you get in the car and go see a family member, that’s OK. That’s loneliness acting like hunger or thirst, a signal our body sends us when we need something for survival. It’s when it persists that it becomes harmful.”

Social connection is as essential to humanity as food, water or shelter, the advisory says. Humans have historically needed to rely on each other for survival, and modern people remain wired for that connection and for proximity to others.

“Given the profound consequences of loneliness and isolation, we have an opportunity, and an obligation, to make the same investments in addressing social connection that we have made in addressing tobacco use, obesity, and the addiction crisis,” Murthy says in his advisory. “We are called to build a movement to mend the social fabric of our nation. It will take all of us – individuals and families, schools and workplaces, health care and public health systems, technology companies, governments, faith organizations, and communities – working together to destigmatize loneliness and change our cultural and policy response to it.”

The framework is rooted in six pillars.

The first, strengthening social infrastructure in communities, involves boosting programs like volunteer organizations or religious groups, policies like public transit or education, and physical elements like libraries and green spaces.

“Investing in local communities and in social infrastructure will fall short if access to benefits is limited only to some groups,” the advisory notes. “Equitable access to social infrastructure for all groups, including those most at-risk for social disconnection, is foundational to building a connected national and global community.”

The second pillar calls for more “pro-connection public policies.” Governments and institutions are urged to adopt an approach that recognizes that policies can benefit or hinder connection and that “every sector of society is relevant to social connection.” Policymakers should focus on reducing disparities in connection.

The third pillar relies on the crucial role of public health and health care delivery systems to address social connection. Murthy calls for increased investment in educating health care providers about the physical and mental benefits of social connection and the risks of disconnection. Patients’ needs should be assessed and supported, and organizations should track prevalence of disconnection in communities and advance local solutions, he says.

For the fourth pillar, reforming digital environments, Murthy singles out the “tangible impact” of technology on Americans’ daily lives and connections. “Technology can also distract us and occupy our mental bandwidth, make us feel worse about ourselves and our relationships, and diminish our ability to connect with others. Some technology fans the flames of marginalization and discrimination, bullying, and other forms of severe social negativity.”

The fifth pillar, deepening knowledge, urges stakeholders such as officials, policymakers, health care providers and researchers to collaborate on a research agenda to address gaps in the data. “Consistent measurement will be critical to better understanding the driving forces of connection and disconnection, and how we can be more effective and efficient in addressing these states.”

The final pillar urges a culture of connection in which Americans “cultivate values of kindness, respect, service, and commitment to one another.” Everyone can use their voice to emphasize these values and model healthy connections, Murthy says, and the nation’s institutions should invest in demonstrating them.

The advisory concludes with suggestions about how specific groups – including governments, health organizations, schools, workplaces and individuals – can help advance social connection.

Parents and caregivers have an especially powerful role, the advisory says. They can model healthy connection by spending time together, setting aside time for screen-free socializing, and engaging in constructive conflict resolution. They’re also urged to encourage individual friendships and group activities, to be aware of how young people spend their time online and to watch for potential warning signs of loneliness or isolation.

Individual Americans might take time out of each day to connect with a friend or family member and minimize distractions during conversations. Regularly practicing service and gratitude can encourage others to do the same. Cut back on things that lead to disconnection, such as harmful social media use or time spent in unhealthy relationships. Be open with health care providers about significant social changes that may affect levels of connection, and reach out to a loved one, counselor, provider or crisis hotline in times of struggle.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/02/health/murthy-loneliness-isolation/index.html

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One Source -Empowering Caregivers has been actively involved in supporting in-home caregivers in Nevada County since 2015. Recognizing the uniqueness of the role as 24/7 caregivers, in-home caregivers tirelessly and faithfully keep their frail loved one at home, safe and surrounded by the life of loving family and friends. There is no one more generous than a caregiver.

One Source-Empowering Caregivers is participating the GLOBAL DAY OF GIVING. This movement unleashes the power of world generosity and reimagines the gift of shared humanity. The common mission of Giving Tuesday is to build a world where generosity is part of everyday life. Everyone has something to give; every act of generosity counts.

One Source-Empowering Caregivers has a new secure donation platform…GIVE LIVELY.
Please make your donation by texting OSEC to 44321. This platform may be used at anytime for donation giving.

We believe that every in-home caregiver deserves to maintain their own health and wellbeing, while making their loved one smile and continue to stay at home.
We call this “THE PROMISE.”

PLEASE DONATE NOW…

Thank You!

OSEC Valentines Soiree- Celebrating Memories through music.

EVENT DETAILS

Please join One Source-Empowering Caregivers for an afternoon of music, fun and giving.

OSEC will be hosting our first annual  Valentines Day Soirèe and Fundraiser. this February.

We hope to see you there!

Buy tickets HERE:  https://secure.givelively.org/event/one-source-empowering-caregivers/valentinesdaysoiree

In-Home Care: Helping Loved Ones Age in Place

5 steps for keeping older family members comfortable and safe, in their home or yours

An adult daughter caregiving for her father in his home. She is serving him a bowl of fruit for lunch.

KALI9/GETTY IMAGES

En español | Two-thirds of U.S. adults, and more than three-quarters of those age 50-plus, want to stay in their home as they get older, according to AARP’s November 2021 “Home and Community Preferences” survey.

Family caregiving is a key component to making that wish a reality. The 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving found that 43 percent of family caregivers are looking after people who live in their own home, and 40 percent share a residence with the care recipient.

Helping a loved one age in place may mean anything from stopping by a parent’s home to check in every few days to assisting a spouse or partner with tasks such as bathing and meal prep, as well as activities including medication management and administering injections. Whatever level of care you provide, these tips can help you help your loved one remain at home for as long, and as comfortably, as possible.

Develop a plan

Planning for both the short and long term is important. You need to stay on top of the daily stuff, the doctor appointments and prescription refills while thinking through the what-ifs of your relative’s age and condition.

You can’t anticipate every scenario, but being forward-thinking now will help you respond more quickly and effectively in an emergency. And don’t go it alone. Reach out to form a larger team of family, friends and others who can help you.

  • Determine tasks and find consensus. Ask team members what they’re willing to do to contribute to the individual’s care. Even if they live far away, they can handle jobs such as paying bills, ordering prescriptions and scheduling medical appointments. Work with them on a plan.
  • Be honest with yourself. What are you prepared to do? If you are uncomfortable with hands-on caregiving tasks, such as helping a family member bathe, ask if another team member can step in, or discuss whether money is available to hire a professional.
  • Summarize the plan in writing. A written record will ensure that everyone on your team, including your loved one, is on the same page, thus avoiding misunderstandings. Remember, of course, that the plan will likely evolve; update it as time passes.

Make adaptations for safety’s sake

If the person you’re caring for has difficulty getting around or has compromised vision or hearing, you’ll need to consider ways to make the home less hazardous.

Consider consulting a professional, such as an occupational therapist, geriatric care manager or aging-in-place specialist, who can assess the home and make recommendations. Be alert to changing needs over time.

  • Make simple fixes for fall prevention. Some basic, low-cost changes include removing trip hazards like throw rugs, making sure the home is well lit (use automatic night-lights) and installing items such as adjustable shower seats, grab bars and handrails.
  • Fine-tune the plan to account for dementia. Dementia brings with it particular worries about wandering and self-injury, but there are many ways to reduce risks. Examples include installing remote door locks, disabling the stove when it’s not in use and keeping the water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
  • Modify more extensively if necessary. When physical limitations are more severe, you may need to hire a contractor to make structural changes, such as installing wheelchair ramps, creating adjustable countertops and widening doorways.

Manage health care needs

Caring for an aging or chronically ill relative can mean performing some basic medical tasks and keeping track of a confusing mix of medications for a range of ailments. The key is to stay organized and know how to get the help you need.

  • Stay on top of meds. Create and maintain an updated medication list with the name, dosage, prescribing doctor and other relevant information — a handy document to bring to medical appointments.
  • Be ready to handle medical tasks. In the aftermath of a loved one’s hospitalization, many family caregivers find themselves performing challenging tasks at home, such as injecting medicines and inserting catheters. Get detailed instructions and even a demonstration of how to do necessary procedures before you leave the hospital.
  • Set up home health services. Medicare will cover certain in-home services deemed medically necessary, including part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care, or physical, occupational or speech therapy. A patient who is considered homebound, or who is unable to make an office visit, may qualify for these services on an ongoing basis.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Caregiving can become all-consuming, especially if you are sharing a home with the person you’re caring for. You may find yourself playing nurse, life coach, nutritionist and social director.

All of these roles are important for maintaining your loved one’s mental and physical health. Just don’t neglect your own.

  • Address social needs. Isolation and loneliness are associated with poorer health; helping your family member and yourself avoid them is a key part of caregiving. You could find a community arts program for seniors, invite friends and relatives to visit, or go out to eat together.
  • Manage nutrition. Be conscious of any dietary restrictions, and encourage your loved one to maintain a balanced diet and avoid processed foods. Look into home-delivered meal programs, and be sure the person drinks plenty of fluids, as dehydration can cause fainting, headaches and more conditions.
  • Encourage exercise. Staying mobile can help older people maintain strength, balance, energy and brain health, among other things. Your loved one’s abilities will vary, and you should check any exercise regimen with a doctor, but the routine might include activities like walking, seated yoga, swimming or lifting small weights.
  • Establish boundaries. Everyone needs a level of privacy, especially if the person you’re tending to lives with you and your spouse or partner. Ideally, you should have some separation between living areas and be able to schedule time together as a couple.

Get help

Depending on the severity of your loved one’s problems, you may need a bit of assistance — or a whole lot of it.

Rely on your team for help with some caregiving tasks and to fill in so you can take breaks. Don’t feel guilty: Your own health — and the quality of your caregiving — will suffer if you try to do everything and don’t take time for yourself.

  • Ask friends and family members for help. Plenty of people in your life will be happy, or at least willing, to lend a hand if you ask. Maybe someone could pick up a prescription for you on the next trip to a nearby shopping center, or a neighbor could stop by with dinner once a week.
  • Farm out some household jobs. Consider paying for relatively small services that will relieve your burden, such as a weekly housecleaning, yard care or grocery delivery. If you live apart from your loved one, you could do the same for your home.
  • Hire in-home care. You can go through an agency or hire a caregiver directly, but either way, be sure to check references and background, and monitor performance carefully. Cautionary tales abound. It’s smart to rely on word of mouth. Ask fellow caregivers for recommendations.
  • Watch your mental health. As a caregiver, you are at a higher risk for stress and depression. If either grows serious, seek help from a mental health professional. And consider reaching out to other caregivers for support and advice.

Americans want to age in place

A 2021 survey of U.S. adults by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that a large majority want to receive care in their own home if they need it. The desire is particularly acute among middle-aged and older adults.

  • Respondents ages 18 to 29: 63 percent
  • 30-44: 79 percent
  • 45-59: 81 percent
  • 60+: 80 percent

Source: “Long-Term Care in America: Americans Want to Age at Home,” AP-NORC

 

 

 

 

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/helping-others-can-make-you-happier-as-you-age-heres-why

  • Researchers say helping others can make you happier as you age.
  • They say that’s because this type of behavior helps release a mood-enhancing hormone known as oxytocin.
  • It was previously thought that this neurochemical was predominately released in younger people.
  • Experts say doing for others can involve charity work or even simply saying hello to people in stores, elevators, and other public places.

 

Happy New Year! Ten Caregiver Wishes for 2023

Gary Barg, Editor-in-Chief

  1. Wishing for kinder and gentler days
  2. Wishing for understanding of our caregiver ways
  3. Wishing for support to arrive at our doors
  4. Wishing for respect for our caregiving chores
  5. Wishing for caregivers to not be neglected
  6. Wishing for caregivers to be more respected
  7. Wishing for us to care for ourselves as we care for our mother, father and son
  8. Wishing for the day we accept that self-care is always Job One
  9. Wishing for the support you so very much deserve
  10. Wishing for these wishes to come true for each and every caregiver – especially yours
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WE GET TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER AT HAND

One Source –Empowering Caregivers was founded in December 2014 in Grass Valley, California.  Founder Donna Raibley, a Caregiver in her own community, was aware that Caregivers were in need of hope and support, while they tirelessly cared for their Loved Ones at home.

 

MAKING CAREGIVERS' LIVES
BETTER IN NEVADA COUNTY

Our Mission

The Mission of One Source – Empowering Caregivers is to improve quality of life for Caregivers and their loved ones by providing cost-free, non-medical support while they remain at home in a safe and healthy environment.

Our Vision

At One Source – Empowering Caregivers we envision Caregivers and their loved ones receiving cost free respite care while they remain at home.

Caregivers Creed

Caregivers are our number one priority
Aim to serve caregivers and their families
Reliable and professionally trained individuals
Efficiency, punctuality, compatibility and values
Guarding all relevant information
Integrity, compassion, and honesty
Valuing the caregiver and their loved ones
Excellent service
Respect for the caregivers and their loved ones
Shared purpose and values are important to us