Director's Message

DIRECTORS MESSAGE

MAY 2004

 

“The Challenge of Giving Care”

 

 

“There are only four types of people in this world: Those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Rosalyn Carter 

 

According to the National Family Caregivers Association, more than 26.6% of adults in the US have provided care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during the past year. As our population ages, more people will need care, and most of this care is provided by family members. More than 22 million families are caring for a family member at home, and 73% of home care services are provided by family caregivers. 

 

We all want to give quality care at home to those we care about. This may include taking time to visit, doing shopping, reading mail, managing finances, cooking or providing personal care. But it can be tremendously challenging to balance these tasks with one’s own family and work, let alone care for oneself. A majority of those who assume a major caretaking role experience depression, stress and anxiety. The responsibility can be made easier with the support of friends, neighbors, faith community and social services.

 

PSRC is officially opening our “Caregiver Resource Center” on May 21. The Center (in the Suzanne Patterson Building) will have a lending library and resource file. Staff and volunteers will be available to help people learn about available programs and services. We maintain relationships with area service providers so that we know about the programs that may be helpful to you. We also provide consultations, brief counseling and support groups. Services are available to adults of all ages in the greater Princeton area who are caring for an older adult, living near or far, and to caregivers living at a distance who care about someone in Princeton.

 

We invite you to stop by for the opening celebration on May 21 between 2-4PM. You will have opportunities to talk to the staff about the services we offer, meet other local area service providers who will be available at tables at the “Caregiver Fair” in the Suzanne Patterson Building, listen to classical music and share light refreshments. Mayors O’Neill and Marchand will be here to cut the ribbon and the cake at 2 PM. 

 

We need all of you, our larger community, to help us spread the word about this valuable service. Please tell your friends, families, faith communities, medical practitioners. Invite them to come to the opening with you.

 

Susan W. Hoskins LCSW

Executive Director

 

 

 

TRAVEL CLUB The Travel Club has been meeting monthly and reviewing various travel opportunities. There is now a place on the Suzanne Patterson Building bulletin board to post travel opportunities with other organizations. The group would like to know if there is interest in one of these fall day bus trips:

Please come to the May meeting on May 5 or drop us a note.

 

 

 

 

Do you know about Crosstown 62? This program is available to all Princeton Borough and Township residents who are over age 62 who are not able to drive. It is subsidized by the municipalities. Riders pay $2 each way per ride, from any starting location in the Princetons to any destination in the Princetons. The taxis can take you to medical appointments, beauty parlors, classes, etc. Call Helena at 688-2055 to register as a new rider, and call 497-9022 or 800-897-9022 between 3-7 pm to schedule a ride. 

 

Crosstown has expanded hours thanks to a grant from the J Seward Johnson Jr. Trust. You can now get rides for medical appointments from 8 am to 5 pm, and for other purposes from 9:30 am to 5 pm.

 

We want to encourage you to use Crosstown to get to the Suzanne Patterson Building for PSRC programs and classes. You can also ride the 606 bus, using the stop at Library Place. Please let us know if the cost is preventing you from doing this.