Friday, February 06, 2004

WILMINGTON- The Caregiver’s Journey, Part 1 will premier February 16, 2004 on The Learning Network of the Cape Fear, Time Warner Cable channel 5, Charter Communications channel 10, at 7:30 p.m.

The Caregiver’s Journey is a provocative, first-hand look at the issues and challenges that face over 22 million Americans daily who provide in-home care for family members. A collaborative project which includes UNCW’s Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies, School of Nursing, Department of Social Work and Gerontology Program; and several local and regional care providers and resource centers – Cape Fear Area Agency on Aging, Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCareCenter, New Hanover County Department of Aging and Pender Adult Daycare.

A long-term caregiver is someone who works hands-on daily for another who cannot take care of his or her own needs. The responsibilities of care giving may seem overwhelming, especially at first. Linda Raines, who cares for her two sons with muscular dystrophy, said, “…at the beginning, we were always late for everything; [we] were always frazzled.” Eventually caregivers get used to their daily activities, and as Linda says, “now we seem to have more of a routine.” Waking up early to help her son to the bathroom and get ready for the daily tasks becomes the normal process. As each day passes, this process is normalized. Soon caregivers like Linda “have a normal life just like anybody else; [they] just make it work.”

The Caregiver’s Journey will consist of additional episodes to be released later this year. Each episode will target specific challenges and identify resources for families and friends caring for a loved one and placement/long term care issues. For more information about this series please call 910-962-7304.