The Directory 2023-2024

Caring for loved ones at home takes a toll on caregivers Support for families of color to stay together

Suzanne Kienietz Editor The Directory W hat makes the community of color di ff erent in how they handle aging? “Plenty,” said Dorothea Harris, former director of Culturally Responsive Caregiver Support and Dementia Services, a program of Volunteers of America–MN. Harris, who founded this caregiver program over a decade ago, met with and helped families navigate the health care system. Th e inequities in the system, when it comes to people of color, indicates higher rates of chronic diseases which can point to African Americans being twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, according to the Alzheimer Association. Many families of color have faced racism and discrimination leaving a mistrust for the mainstream, or white population, to care for loved ones as they became sick or aged. Feeling connected to and responsible for one another gives everyone a greater chance to do well, Harris explained. Th ere is much to be said about the value of keeping loved ones at home where they feel safe, surrounded by things familiar from food to neighborhood to family. “Many families consider caregiving not only part of our culture, but also the best survival insurance a person of color can have,” Harris said. Harris was driven to action by the lack of culturally responsive resources for caregivers of color. It’s quite common for caregivers to neglect their own self-care as they provide care to their loved ones. Generally, caregivers don’t have a

thought-out plan to incorporate time for their own health care appointments or scheduling respite times for themselves. Th ismay lead to increased stress and decreased health for caregivers, Harris added. Caregivers often experience more health challenges than those they are caring for, Harris said about the families she supported. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, “Elderly spousal caregivers (aged 66 96) who experience caregiving-related stress have a 63% higher mortality rate than non-caregivers of the same age.” Harris agreed to an interview:

There is value in keeping loved ones at home as they are surrounded by familiar things from food to neighborhood to family.

How do you serve the community with your program? Each situation is di ff erent. Working with the caregiver program can be helpful because we serve families who care for their loved ones in several ways–with education, information and referral, consultation, respite care, and support groups. Each caregiver gets an individual assessment to help them fi gure out what will best meet their needs as well as the care receivers. Th ere can be discord in family caregiving and we are there to help “weather the storm” with caregiving coaching and other services. It is the program’s job to remind people that family caregiving is all about how to work together. No one person needs to take on all the responsibilities of caring, each family member is expected to contribute however they fi t in. What are some examples? Beverly When I met Beverly, she was curled up in a corner in her home. “I’m never leaving this house,” Beverly said, as she coiled up more tightly. Despite needing services and being someone who could bene fi t from them, she didn’t feel safe requesting them, fearing she’d be removed from her home. “What is the plan for you, Beverly?” I said kindly, trying to get Beverly to accept our support and acknowledge her situation. After we visited her several times, the light bulb went o ff and she could see herself and her home more clearly. She agreed to receive help.

Support for families of color to stay together continues on page 86 >

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