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FM 100's Jill Atwood ReportingRight now, close to 200-thousand people are caregivers for someone who is aging, chronically ill or has a serious diability. It's a burden many people shoulder for years, but now it's a burden the state of Utah wants to help lift.
There are six priciples of caregiving, according to a class put on by UCARE of Utah. In black and white it seems pretty simple, but many Utahns know that when the stress builds and emotions flare, there is nothing simple about caregiving.
That's why a number of caregivers attend the UCARE class, to learn how to cope, to find answers and to get help on a variety of topics.
Athena Brewer, Caregiver for her Mom: "I get mad because she won't take care of herself the way I want her to. Or she won't do the things that I want her to, or she will lean on me when I don't want her to."
Athena Brewer takes care of her mom. She watches helplessly as she goes downhill, becoming more dependent every day.
She says it's a constant battle, her mom wanting control, but unable to take control on her own. Both are frustrated physically and emotionally.
"It can also take a lot out of you, as far as you want to do as much as you can, but you also have your own life to live. And so you are really torn in many different directions."
This UCARE class tackles these hard to talk about issues. Athena and the others will hopefully leave educated and empowered to find the help they need.
Jonie Allen, UCARE Instructor: "I feel like we are just temporarily abled. Each and every one of us is just a car accident or a stroke away from needing to be cared for ourselves. So we have to look at things that aren't that fun, like funerals and living will. So we have to discuss it iwth our family. It is the responsible thing to do."
The goal of UCARE is to keep folks in their homes and independent as long as possible. For a list of upcoming caregiver classes and for information on a new respite program, visit the link at the top right of this story, or simply dial 211.
