Dr. Terri Harvath

And while some of the services are coming back online, we're not back to pre-pandemic levels. And we've also seen, because of the pandemic and the isolation, increased frailty among those older adults and their caregivers. And so it's been like the perfect storm to create conditions that really, make it difficult to be a family caregiver right now.

And while some of the services are coming back online, we're not back to pre-pandemic levels. And we've also seen, because of the pandemic and the isolation, increased frailty among those older adults and their caregivers. And so it's been like the perfect storm to create conditions that really, make it difficult to be a family caregiver right now.

Yeah, Lisa, that was exactly what I was going to say as well, is we need to identify caregivers. They need to see themselves that that's who they are. That's the role that they are engaging in. And I think in terms of the community, offering support is, of course, important.

Yeah, Lisa, that was exactly what I was going to say as well, is we need to identify caregivers. They need to see themselves that that's who they are. That's the role that they are engaging in. And I think in terms of the community, offering support is, of course, important.

Offering tangible support, something, you know, I will sit with your relative for two hours so you can go grocery shopping, so you can go for a walk. So offering really specific kinds of help. Can I stop and pick up something from the grocery store or the drug store for you? I'm on my way.

Offering tangible support, something, you know, I will sit with your relative for two hours so you can go grocery shopping, so you can go for a walk. So offering really specific kinds of help. Can I stop and pick up something from the grocery store or the drug store for you? I'm on my way.

Stopping in just to check in and see how the person is doing, that sort of ongoing support, because caregivers are often isolated. And so having contact and having people who are willing to come in and actually do something can be really valuable. And particularly if it's a regularly occurring situation,

Stopping in just to check in and see how the person is doing, that sort of ongoing support, because caregivers are often isolated. And so having contact and having people who are willing to come in and actually do something can be really valuable. And particularly if it's a regularly occurring situation,

You know, I know every Tuesday I can go grocery shopping because, you know, my cousin's going to come over and watch my mom. That sort of thing can really help with some of the predictability that that helps ease burnout, I think, for caregivers.

You know, I know every Tuesday I can go grocery shopping because, you know, my cousin's going to come over and watch my mom. That sort of thing can really help with some of the predictability that that helps ease burnout, I think, for caregivers.

Sure. Part of it in terms of resources, first of all, there aren't nearly enough. Let me just say that to begin with. But those that exist are often disease-based. So reaching out, for example, to the Alzheimer's Association, your local chapter, can be an avenue towards that. Same way with chronic lung disease, multiple sclerosis.

Sure. Part of it in terms of resources, first of all, there aren't nearly enough. Let me just say that to begin with. But those that exist are often disease-based. So reaching out, for example, to the Alzheimer's Association, your local chapter, can be an avenue towards that. Same way with chronic lung disease, multiple sclerosis.

So there are a number of organizations that specialize in the chronic conditions that often result in the need for a caregiver. That's a good point. Going there. You can reach out to your primary care provider. And there's actually brand new changes to the Medicare regulations that allow physicians,

So there are a number of organizations that specialize in the chronic conditions that often result in the need for a caregiver. That's a good point. Going there. You can reach out to your primary care provider. And there's actually brand new changes to the Medicare regulations that allow physicians,

physician assistants, nurse practitioners, other professionals to bill Medicare for offering instruction and services to family caregivers, even if those family caregivers are not Medicare beneficiaries. That happened January 1 of this year. And it's the first time ever that Medicare The Center for Medicare and Medicaid is providing reimbursement for services to non-Medicare beneficiaries.

physician assistants, nurse practitioners, other professionals to bill Medicare for offering instruction and services to family caregivers, even if those family caregivers are not Medicare beneficiaries. That happened January 1 of this year. And it's the first time ever that Medicare The Center for Medicare and Medicaid is providing reimbursement for services to non-Medicare beneficiaries.

And it's an important start. It's not enough, but it's a really good start. Oftentimes, there are also local organizations that you can access through your AAA, the Area Agency on Aging. that will be connected locally to what might be available in your particular zip code, for example. Lisa, I'm sure you have an inside track on Minnesota.

And it's an important start. It's not enough, but it's a really good start. Oftentimes, there are also local organizations that you can access through your AAA, the Area Agency on Aging. that will be connected locally to what might be available in your particular zip code, for example. Lisa, I'm sure you have an inside track on Minnesota.

Excuse me, two other resources. One, AARP has developed actually quite a lot of resources for family caregivers and their website has, for example, very brief videos.

Excuse me, two other resources. One, AARP has developed actually quite a lot of resources for family caregivers and their website has, for example, very brief videos.