November is National Family Caregivers Month and also National Alzheimer's Disease Month.

During National Family Caregivers Month, we honor caregivers for their dedication and the vital role they play in caring for those in need. We especially honor those caregivers who care for a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementia.

Although family caregiving is usually undertaken willingly and may bring personal satisfaction, it frequently takes a heavy emotional, physical and financial toll on family caregivers themselves. Unrelieved caregiver burden, exhaustion, financial concerns and other care-related strains are major contributing factors to the institutionalization of frail elders. Family members face common concerns: health risks, financial pressures, legal issues, emotional strain, mental health problems, workplace issues, retirement insecurity and lost opportunities.

The Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia Community Service Program is a program at the Office for the Aging which specifically supports caregivers of individuals with memory loss or dementia. Efforts focus on providing caregiving training, education and personalized support to the caregiver and their family. We are also working to organize support groups in various parts of the county. If you are interested in receiving support, contact Corinne Ryan at 253-1104.

The third annual “Coping and Caring” caregiver workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Holiday Inn, 75 North St., Auburn. This free workshop is titled “You Are Not Alone: Sharing the Challenges and the Loss of Alzheimer's Disease” and will feature two speakers, a vendor fair and brunch.

Matthew Binkewicz, pastoral care coordinator at Hospice of the Finger Lakes, will present an interactive workshop and PowerPoint presentation, “Healing Through Grieving: Learning to Live Again.” Family members and caregivers may find themselves grieving the gradual loss of functioning and personality of a person with Alzheimer's Disease. Tips to help through this process will be discussed.

Deborah Sholes, executive director of Creative Solutions to Elder Care Planning, will speak on “Staying Emotionally Healthy: Strategies for Family Caregivers.” She will offer help to deal with feelings while maintaining your objectivity as a caregiver.

This free caregiver workshop is made possible through a generous grant from Nucor Steel Auburn, Inc.

To register, contact the Office for the Aging at

253-1226.

In celebration of National Family Caregiving and Alzheimer's Disease Months, please remember to honor and support the family members, friends and neighbors you know who provide care to their loved ones. A little bit of help and support can go a long way to ease the burden and make them feel that they aren't doing it all themselves. Take time to “care for the caregiver.”

Janet Taylor is an Aging Services Specialist for the Cayuga County Office for the Aging