Would You Recognize Common Signs of Caregiver Burnout? • You are increasingly impatient and irritable with your loved one. • Your life revolves around caregiving, but it gives you little satisfaction. • You neglect your own needs, either because you are too busy, overwhelmed, or you simply (and honestly) do not care anymore. • You place unreasonable demands and burdens upon yourself. • Unrealistic expectations come into play as you may be expecting your involvement to positively affect your loved one, either physically or mentally. • Frustration from not being able to control the situation. This can include covid restrictions, your loved one’s condition, or an overall lack of resources, finances, organization, and simply not knowing what you don’t know. If you are experiencing any of these, that is not uncommon and does not make you a "bad caregiver! Please consider taking an hour for yourself and join one of our caregiver support groups or reach out to schedule an individual consultation, both at no expense. Please know you are not alone and we look forward to seeing how we may be of assistance.

Online support groups and individual consultations are designed to assist with your unique caregiving needs and concerns. There is no charge to be a part of our open groups offering opportunities to share and be heard, as well as to listen and support. Perhaps you’re not comfortable sharing in a group? We also offer individual consultations at no charge. If you have a concern about your loved one's dementia behaviors, are looking for assistance finding resources, or would just appreciate a private session with a caregiver consultant simply CLICK HERE to schedule a 30 minute individual caregiver consultation at no financial cost to you.

TUESDAY ... October 27th at 11:00am Non-Disease Specific Caregiver Fellowship

Via facilitated online meetings, this is an opportunity to meet and share with other caregivers seeking emotional support and a necessary sense of community with like-minded people. This group is non-disease specific to encourage conversation on caregiving concerns and circumstances. CLICK HERE to register and receive link to join our online group Our Caregiver Fellowship is now on the second and fourth Tuesday morning at 11:00am.

WEDNESDAY ... November 4th at 11:00am Dementia Caregiver Support Group

Whether you are caring for your loved one at home or they reside in a facility, the stress of caring for a loved one with dementia, especially during this time, can be overwhelming with uncertainty.  From the comfort of your own home, you are invited to fellowship with other caregivers sharing your concerns and struggles. Please note this group is for family caregivers of a loved one with dementia or memory issues only.  CLICK HERE to register and receive link to join our online group Our Dementia Caregiver Support Group is now on the first and third Wednesday monthly at 11:00am.

Individual Dementia Caregiver Consultations Available Are you caring for a loved one with dementia and find yourself blocked and frustrated because you don't know what to do and how to do it when it comes to relating and communicating. Do you wonder why what you both want is not happening? Learn to anticipate the struggles and how to be better prepared. Recognize your loved one's point of view, understand where they are coming from, comprehend the grieving of loss that comes with dementia, and develop a better understanding of what is possible and what is not. Jill Costello is a Certified Dementia Consultant under Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care and is available for individual caregiver consultations at no financial cost to you. CLICK HERE for more information.

Educational content provided by Positive Approach® is used with permission and based on the GEMS® and the techniques, strategies, and overall approach to care created and developed by Positive Approach, LLC. www.teepasnow.com

Restorative Yoga online via ZOOM! ECI is pleased to announce that our volunteer yoga instructors, Marcia Berens and Franessa Stalter, are continuing their wonderfully relaxing Restorative Yoga classes via ZOOM. The weekly day and time remain the same as before: Thursdays at 9:30am – 10:30am. CLICK HERE to register and receive link to join our online group

-- RESPITE IS AVAILABLE! --

Exhausted caregivers with a loved one under Hospice Savannah's care are eligible for respite each month. Respite care is available for your loved one in our beautifully renovated Inpatient Unit on Eisenhower Drive where they will receive personalized care from our onsite clinical staff.

Ask your Hospice Savannah nurse or social worker for more information on how to take advantage of this service.  If your loved one is not under Hospice Savannah care, please call 912-629-1088 for information.

Please join Hospice Savannah, Inc. as we welcome Dr. Claude T. Su, a local Cardiologist with Cardiology Associates as the newest member of our care team! Dr. Su is serving as our Cardiac Program Champion for Hospice Savannah's Advanced Cardiac Program.

Do you know a caregiver who could benefit from the services of the Edel Caregiver Institute? Simply text "EdelCaregiver" to 22828 to start receiving our caregiver newsletter and announcements.

For individual consultations, assistance, questions or concerns please contact: Jill Costello, MA at 912-629-1331 / JCostello@HospiceSavannah.org or Elizabeth Brodhead, LMSW at 912-629-1069 / EBrodhead@HospiceSavannah.org

For more information on the Edel Caregiver Institute, please visit our website: www.EdelCaregiverInstitute.org While there is no charge for our classes or support groups, we gratefully accept donations.

The Edel Caregiver Institute is part of the Hospice Savannah Inc. continuum of care. Hospice Savannah is accredited by The Joint Commission, the gold standard in health care, meaning our staff has made an extra effort to review and improve the key areas that can affect the quality and safety of your care.