Tuesday, July 08, 2008
NEWS
Pamphlet Reaches Out to Caregivers Dealing with Disaster
A devastating tornado hit South Georgia in March 2007 and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in Sumter and surrounding counties. Two lives were lost. The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving is taking a role in Project CARE, a local project designed to assist the tornado survivors. The RCI has created a pamphlet, which will be utilized by Project CARE outreach workers to help caregivers get their lives back on track after the disaster.
Family caregivers have taken on a very important and valuable role. Although providing assistance to another person is often rewarding, caregivers are also at risk for both emotional and physical health difficulties due to the stress and strain of their caregiving responsibilities. The additional trauma brought about by a disaster in the community could place caregivers at even greater risk.
These pamphlets offer helpful advice to any caregiver in the aftermath of a disaster situation. The RCI expects this pamphlet to be used nationwide by disaster relief workers in a variety of scenarios. Download the Project CARE pamphlet here.
If you are a professional, volunteer or family caregiver, and have been affected or displaced by the South Georgia March 1 tornado, contact Gayle Alston, Director of the Caregiver Support Center at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving.
E-mail Gayle. Phone 229-931-2707.