Caregiving Burdens and Support

Published: 2022
By Katrin Finch

Caregiving for a loved one is a challenging task, in Montana, there are approximately 17,000 caregivers who provide an annual total of 24 million hours of care at no cost. In 2016, one in six (16%) Montana adults reported providing regular, unpaid care or assistance to a friend or family member with a health problem or disability during the past 30 days (DPHHS, 2016). Over the last five years, the burden of caregiving has become prevalent and MSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Katrin Finch has reached over 200 caregivers through one-on-one consultations and support groups. The Powerful Tools for Caregiver Education Support Group meets once a month, and all caregivers are welcome. On average, 14 caregivers attend, some are just beginning the caregiving journey, and others have completed their caregiving duties but want to share their knowledge and support with other caregivers. During these meetings, facilitators Katrin Finch and Jona McNamee discuss topics including managing stress, handling difficult conversations or family members, estate planning, self-care activities, and more. Over the last year, there has been a significant increase in attendance of caregivers who are caring for a loved one with memory loss challenges such as Alzheimer’s. In 2020, it was estimated that approximately 22,000 people 65 and older had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s (Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, 2022). Between caregiver's attendance at the Powerful Tools for Caregiving Education Support Group and an increase in phone calls for resources, Finch reached out to the Montana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Great Falls Public Library to partner and began holding Memory Cafés. Memory Cafés are comfortable, social gatherings that allow people experiencing memory loss and a loved one to connect, socialize, and build new support networks. As a result of the first five Memory Cafés, three caregivers have connected outside of meetings to offer support to each other, and three individuals experiencing memory loss have created a friendship and met outside of meetings.